Bank of Jerusalem shares fell sharply during trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Thursday, dropping as much as 12.3% at their peak, amid rumors spread on social media linking the bank to the disappearance of bank employee Mali Yahalomi and her daughter Liel in Vienna. The declines later moderated, with the stock down 3.5% from the start of the day.
On Thursday afternoon, Police Commissioner Insp. Gen. Danny Levy convened another situational assessment on the disappearance.
A gag order was imposed Thursday morning on the investigation into the disappearance. The order stated that the investigation is being handled by the National Unit for Combating Economic Crime, part of Lahav 433. However, a police source told ynet that this does not indicate any specific investigative direction, and clarified that all possibilities are being examined. According to the source, as part of its routine work, the unit maintains extensive working ties with law enforcement and police bodies around the world, and has the capabilities and experience required to manage a cross-border investigation of this kind.
Mali and Liel Yahalomi remain missing
(צילום: מתוך עמוד הפייסבוק של שגרירות ישראל בווינה)
According to Calcalist, Bank of Jerusalem CEO Yair Kaplan told employees that “in recent days, we have seen media reports about the disappearance of Mali Yahalomi. We understand that such an event raises concerns and uncertainty. It should be emphasized that, aside from the fact that she is a bank employee, no connection has been found between the incident and the bank. A gag order has been imposed on the matter, and no information on the issue may be passed to any party.”
Bank of Jerusalem also issued an official statement: “Following a review that was conducted, there was no finding indicating any irregular activity in the bank’s funds or assets.”
The bank later issued a statement to the stock exchange: “Further to media reports, Bank of Jerusalem Ltd. respectfully updates that following a thorough review that was conducted, no finding was found indicating any irregular activity in the bank’s funds, its assets or its customers’ funds.”