When more than two million Israeli students walk excitedly into classrooms across the country this Tuesday to begin the new school year, Haimanot Kasao will not be among them. The young girl, who disappeared from an absorption center in Tzfat (Safed) in northern Israel, remains missing and unable to exercise her basic right to education alongside her peers.
Ahead of the school year opening, the Kasao family and the campaign headquarters working for Haimanot's return have issued an emotional appeal to Israeli students, teachers and citizens: arrive at school on the first day carrying a red balloon, the international symbol associated with abducted children. The initiative aims to see red balloons raised in every classroom, business and home throughout Israel, raising awareness and reminding the public that Haimanot is still absent.
Tesfia Kasao, Haimanot's father, addressed the public with evident pain: "The first day of school is always an exciting day, it's a happy day, and for us it's another difficult day. Haimanot loves to learn, she's a smart girl, but Haimanot isn't starting sixth grade as she was supposed to. I want and ask that you see Haimanot everywhere, I want the red balloons to color the skies and amplify our cry so that she returns home."
