Schools Mark Return to Classes With Red Balloons for Missing Girl
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Israeli schools marked the start of the academic year by releasing or hanging red balloons, a symbol for abducted children, to raise awareness for Hymanut Kassaou, who has been missing since February 2024. Her family and advocacy groups are urging continued public attention to her case.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli schools used red balloons to highlight the case of missing girl Hymanut Kassaou.
- Hymanut Kassaou has been missing since February 2024 and was due to start sixth grade.
- The campaign was launched by a collective and supported by her family.
- Red balloons are an international symbol for abducted children.
- Schools in Migdal HaEmek and Tel Aviv participated in the initiative.
On the occasion of the school year's return, numerous Israeli educational institutions participated in a campaign to draw attention to the disappearance of Hymanut Kassaou, who has been missing since February 2024. Students and staff released or hung red balloons, an international symbol for abducted children, at schools across the country. Hymanut was supposed to begin sixth grade this year.
The campaign was initiated by a collective advocating for her return. "As the children of Israel enter their classrooms with emotion, Hymanut Kassaou will not be able to exercise what should be a fundamental right, as she is still being held," the collective stated, urging students nationwide to bring a red balloon on the first day of school.
Hymanut's father, Tsafiya Kassaou, described the return to school as particularly painful for his family. "The first day of school is always an emotional and joyful day, but for us it is another difficult day," he said. "Hymanut loves to learn, she is an intelligent child, but she is not starting her sixth grade as she should have." He called for continued mobilization so that "red balloons fill the sky" and carry the family's plea for her return.
In Migdal HaEmek, the "Campus Si" school held a red balloon release with students and staff. The mayor, Yaki Ben Haim, affirmed the city's continued support for the family. In Tel Aviv, Yitzhak Rabin High School also hung red balloons on its gates, alongside photos of Hymanut, to maintain focus on her case.
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