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The search for Haymanut Kasau: Why Israel must not forget the missing nine-year-old girl - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • The article reflects on the prolonged disappearance of nine-year-old Haymanut Kasau, who vanished in Safed on February 25, 2024.
  • It contrasts the public's intense focus on Israeli hostages held by Hamas with the lesser attention given to Haymanut's case, despite her disappearance occurring over 874 days prior.
  • The author urges readers not to forget Haymanut, highlighting her family's background and her personal qualities.

The disappearance of nine-year-old Haymanut Kasau, who vanished in Safed on February 25, 2024, remains a haunting concern, particularly as the article marks 874 days since she was last seen. The author draws a poignant parallel between the widespread public attention and anxiety surrounding Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the comparatively muted focus on Haymanut's case. This disparity is highlighted through personal reflections on constant phone checking for hostage news versus the author's own struggle to maintain the same level of awareness for Haymanut.

We all froze. No one was going home. All plans were canceled as we prepared to begin searching.

— Barbara SoferDescribing the immediate reaction and fear within the synagogue upon hearing of a missing child.

Haymanut's father, Tesfai Kasau, describes his daughter not just by her name, meaning "faith," but also as "tiger" for her strong convictions. She is characterized as a deeply religious third-grader with a good sense of humor, athletic grace, and a doting nature towards her younger siblings. Her disappearance occurred on February 25, 2024, after a class trip and while she was distributing election leaflets at an absorption center in Hatzor Haglilit. Security footage last confirmed her presence at the building's entrance at 7:25 p.m.

Her name, Haymanut, means “faith.” But, dad Tesfai Kasau, 54, told me that at home, they call her “tiger,” because she stands strong for what she believes.

— Barbara SoferIntroducing Haymanut Kasau and her father's description of her character.

If alive, Haymanut would now be approaching her bat mitzvah. Her older sister, Yeros Kasau, serves as the family spokesperson and expresses a strong belief that Haymanut is still alive, sharing dreams where she asks her sister who took her, though Haymanut remains silent. The family, parents Banchi and Tesfai, immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia in 2020 when Haymanut was around six years old. The article implicitly questions why a child's disappearance, even amidst broader national crises, should fade from public memory, urging a sustained commitment to finding her.

We never felt threatened inside the absorption center.

— Tesfai KasauHaymanut's father recalling the environment where she was last seen.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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