Liberman Urges Shin Bet to Take Over Missing Girl Investigation

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has appealed to Shin Bet Director David Barnea to consider transferring the investigation into the disappearance of 9-year-old Haimanot Kasao entirely to the security agency. Liberman requested that the Shin Bet utilize its full intelligence, operational, and technological capabilities for the case.

Haimanot Kasao vanished approximately two and a half years ago from a reception center in Safed where she lived with her family. Despite extensive searches and years of investigation by the Israel Police, no significant breakthrough has been made to shed light on the circumstances of her disappearance.

Liberman referenced a recent meeting between President Isaac Herzog and the Kasao family, during which the President informed them he had spoken with the Shin Bet chief and that the agency was "getting involved." However, Liberman argued that given the prolonged lack of progress, the police-led investigation should not rely solely on limited assistance.

He urged a comprehensive review of all existing investigation materials and avenues, alongside exploring new leads using the Shin Bet's unique tools. Liberman emphasized that as time passes, the chances of finding new evidence or recovering uncollected findings diminish. He called for a "different kind of thinking" that includes enhanced intelligence gathering and examining potential links to other unsolved cases.

"The disappearance of a 9-year-old girl without a trace is an event the State of Israel must not accept," Liberman stated. He highlighted the Kasao family's ongoing distress and uncertainty, noting they spent the recent Sukkot holiday in Jerusalem, seeking to raise public awareness of their daughter's absence. Liberman concluded by asking Barnea to "seriously consider" transferring the entire investigation to the Shin Bet to maximize efforts in finding Haimanot and reuniting her with her family.