We Went All the Way to Argentina to Search for Missing Women, Only to Find Ourselves

Mali and Liel Yahalomi were found in Argentina, but the affair reveals insights about Israeli society: paranoia, generosity, vindictiveness, and populism. The article criticizes the distorted priorities and police conduct, comparing to the case of Haymanot Kasau.

Mali and Liel Yahalomi, two Israeli women who went missing, were located in Argentina. Police reported no suspicion of criminal activity, and the reasons for their disappearance are personal. The article discusses what we learned about ourselves as a society: we are paranoid since October 7, generous in offering help, but also quick to anger and spread rumors. The two faced insults on social media and were compared to Etti Alon and a heavy gambler. The article criticizes the populism in comparison to the case of Haymanot Kasau, a girl from Safed who disappeared, and claims it is easier to locate adults with technological means. Further criticism is directed at the Israeli police, who released a video of the capture, harming the privacy of the two. The article ends with a question about what made us put this story at the top of our joy.