Ethiopian-Israeli Girl's Family Fights for Protest Site in Jerusalem

The family of Haimanut Kassaw, an Ethiopian-Israeli girl who disappeared in Safed over two and a half years ago, is escalating their efforts to raise awareness. Despite a visit from the deputy mayor of Jerusalem and his commitment to assist, the Kassaw family's request for an approved protest encampment in the capital has been denied again by the municipality.

The family, with the help of activists from the "HaMete" organization, first applied to the Jerusalem Municipality in May for permission to set up a protest tent. The municipality rejected the request, citing that encampments are a public nuisance and disrupt the daily lives of residents, even though other protest tents are active throughout Jerusalem. Two weeks ago, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) re-approached the municipality, but the request was again denied.

Following the repeated refusals, ACRI filed a petition on behalf of Haimanut's parents, Tesfaye and Benchi Kassaw, to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for Administrative Affairs on September 17. The association submitted the petitioners' response to the municipality's request to dismiss the petition, insisting on an urgent hearing. The response stated that the petitioners "have done nothing wrong" and are requesting to set up the protest camp near the Prime Minister's Office, urging the court to schedule a hearing urgently.

To comply with the law, the Kassaw family had to agree to dismantle the sukkah they had erected in Jerusalem after the Sukkot holiday, despite hoping to move directly to an approved protest camp. Tesfaye Kassaw, Haimanut's father, expressed deep sadness and disappointment with the authorities' conduct, stating, "It seems Haimanut does not factor into the priorities of Israel's capital city." He added, "We truly don't know what else to do for them to listen to us and for their ears not to be deaf to Haimanut's cry." Kassaw thanked the activists and support organizations, particularly ACRI, for their legal battle, and urged continued public support. He also called for the case to be transferred to the Shin Bet security agency to apprehend those endangering his daughter and all Israeli children, ensuring Haimanut's return home.