Lead

The family of Haymanut Kasau, a nine-year-old Ethiopian girl who has been missing since February 25, 2024, has expressed frustration over receiving updates on her case through the media rather than directly from police, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. The family's statement came amid ongoing efforts to locate the child, who was last seen near an absorption center in Safed.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post reported on two separate developments in the case. In a May 20 article, the newspaper covered the family's complaint that they were not being kept informed by investigators. According to the report, the family had recently met with police officials and were told there had been no progress, yet they subsequently heard about the case through media reports. The family stated, "So far, we have not been given any information," adding, "It is appropriate that we receive the updates directly from the officers in charge. Haymanut must return home now."

A second Jerusalem Post article, published on May 27, focused on the announcement of a public awareness campaign. The Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency said they would allocate approximately 400,000 shekels for the campaign, which would include billboards and social media outreach, as well as a cash reward for information leading to Kasau's location. The announcement was made during a Knesset committee discussion, where the delay in launching such a campaign drew criticism.

Key Claims

  • Haymanut Kasau was nine years old when she disappeared on February 25, 2024, near an absorption center in Safed. She had been spotted on security camera footage at the center's entrance, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • The child immigrated from Ethiopia with her family in 2021 and lived in Safed, the newspaper reported.
  • The family said they heard updates on the case from the media instead of the police, despite having met with officials days earlier, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the mission to find Kasau to the mission to return hostages from Gaza after October 7, 2023, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency allocated a budget of approximately 400,000 shekels for a new public campaign, which will include a cash reward for information, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Activists criticized the delay in launching the campaign, with MK Gilad Kariv (The Democrats) demanding timelines for its launch, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Protests continued in front of Lahav 433 in Lod and at the Tzabar junction in Kiryat Motzkin to pressure investigators, the newspaper reported.
  • Tesfaye Kasau, Haymanut's father, thanked everyone involved in the search effort during the Knesset discussion, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

Family's frustration

The family of Haymanut Kasau expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of direct communication from police, stating that they received updates through media reports. They demanded that "officers in charge" provide them with information directly, emphasizing that Haymanut must return home now.

Government and officials' response

Government and ministry officials, including MK Gilad Kariv and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry spokesperson Dani Adno Ababa, acknowledged the need for greater public awareness and promised a new campaign. They also noted that a company had been selected to produce the campaign, with a budget jointly funded by the ministry and the Jewish Agency.

Prime Minister's commitment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that the state would continue its mission to find Kasau, drawing a parallel to the effort to return hostages from Gaza after October 7, 2023, signaling a high-level commitment to resolving the case.