Knesset Approves 400,000-Shekel Campaign to Find Missing Girl Hymanut Kasau, 822 Days After She Vanished
Hymanut Kasau has been missing for over two years. She was a child when she disappeared. Her case has drawn growing public attention and mounting criticism of the pace of the official response.
Israel's parliament has taken a major step in the search for a missing Ethiopian-Israeli girl who disappeared from a northern absorption center over two years ago, as her family says police have still not briefed them on a reported breakthrough in the case.
The Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Committee, chaired by MK Gilad Kariv of the Labor Party, resolved Wednesday to allocate approximately 400,000 shekels for a wide-reaching public awareness campaign to locate Hymanut Kassou. The campaign will include billboard advertising and promotion across social media platforms.
The decision came as the committee convened to mark 822 days since she disappeared from an absorption center in Safed on February 25, 2024.
Family Still Waiting for Police Briefing
The committee session took place against a tense backdrop. Earlier Wednesday, Hymanut's family stated that more than a day had passed since police announced they had a "lead" in the investigation into her disappearance, yet her parents had still not received any official briefing from investigators.
Protests are scheduled to take place Wednesday afternoon at two locations: outside the Lahav 433 national investigations unit headquarters, and at Tzavar Junction.
Kariv Demands Timeline, Sets Deadline
Committee chairman Kariv did not hide his frustration at the pace of progress, criticizing delays in implementing the awareness campaign and demanding that the relevant ministry provide exact timelines by this coming Sunday.
Kariv announced that a follow-up committee session will be held next week, at which the ministry will be required to present the completed campaign. He also committed to holding a private conversation with Hymanut's family to explore additional avenues of assistance.