Lapid urges Netanyahu to renew probe into Haymanot Kasau disappearance

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order a renewed investigation into the disappearance of nine-year-old Haymanut Kasau, who has been missing since February 2024. Lapid urged that all state authorities "act decisively and with the full resources at their disposal" to locate the child.

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I call on the government to immediately instruct all relevant authorities to concentrate and deploy every resource necessary to re-examine every possible investigative direction, and to update both the family and the public on the steps being taken to locate Haymanut.

Kasau's parents have consistently stated that not enough has been done to find their daughter. Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously pledged to personally involve himself in the case in January, nearly two years after she was last seen in Safed. However, the Prime Minister's Office has not provided an update on his involvement since then.

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My daughter was nine years old when she was abducted 884 days ago. She doesn’t care about political affiliation.

Lapid's letter specifically requested the government to "immediately instruct all relevant authorities to concentrate and deploy every resource necessary to re-examine every possible investigative direction." He also asked for updates to be provided to the family and the public regarding the steps being taken.

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I thank you from the bottom of my heart for appealing to the government to expand the resources dedicated to searching for Haymanut.

Kasau's father, Tesfaye, welcomed Lapid's appeal, emphasizing that his daughter's case should not be subject to political considerations. "My daughter was nine years old when she was abducted 884 days ago. She doesn’t care about political affiliation," he stated. He expressed gratitude for Lapid's call for expanded resources and stressed that his daughter, as an Israeli citizen, deserves every possible effort for her rescue and return home. Tesfaye pleaded for the focus to remain on "doing the right thing" rather than on political or racial divisions.

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As an Israeli citizen, my daughter deserves for everything possible to be done to rescue her and bring her home.