Twist in Namibia arrest: Chabad emissary says detainees not Mali and Liel
Rabbi Yosef Rahimi says two women arrested in Namibia not Mali and Liel Yahalomi, hold forged Israeli passports.
Israeli authorities are investigating the recent arrests of Mali and Liel Yahalomi in Namibia, nearly two months after they were detained in Argentina. The women, both residents of Modi'in, Israel, vanished from Europe in August 2026 while on a trip.
According to prosecutors, the international search that began in Europe led to their discovery on a bus in Argentina on August 14, 2026. Israeli Police representatives acknowledged the reports of their arrests in Namibia but clarified that the local authorities would handle the case due to the offense occurring there. An Israel Police source stated that they are aware of the incident but it falls outside their jurisdiction.
The case began when Mali, 50, and Liel, 23, left Israel on August 4, 2026, for a journey to Europe. They traveled to Vienna, where contact was lost, and their family reported them missing. An international search ensued, involving several European countries before they were found in Argentina.
Law enforcement found no evidence of criminal activity or coercion, and the women were released upon confirmation of their good health. The most recent arrest in Namibia appears to be an independent development following their disappearance and recovery in Argentina.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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