Jerusalem Municipality Denies Protest Tent Request by Family of Kidnapped Girl

The Jerusalem Municipality has refused to grant permission to the Kasao family to set up a protest tent near the Prime Minister's Office. The family, whose daughter Haimnot was kidnapped over two and a half years ago, has been seeking approval for the tent since May, with the assistance of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. The municipality cited concerns that protest tents constitute a public nuisance and disrupt the daily lives of Jerusalem residents.

Following the municipality's rejection of their initial request, the Association for Civil Rights approached the municipality again two weeks ago, but this appeal was also denied. On September 17, 2026, the Association filed a petition with the Jerusalem District Administrative Court on behalf of Tesfai and Benchi Kasao, Haimnot's parents, against the municipality. The Association submitted a response to the court on Monday, after the municipality requested the petition be dismissed. The response asserts that the family has done nothing wrong and is urgently seeking a court hearing to determine the matter.

In parallel, the Kasao family was required to commit to dismantling a Sukkah they had erected as part of their protest by the end of the Sukkot holiday. The family had hoped to transition directly from the Sukkah to an approved protest tent, asserting their right to protest within regulations. Tesfai Kasao expressed deep sadness and disappointment, feeling that Haimnot's plight is not a priority for the capital city. He questioned what more the family must do to be heard and reiterated their demand for the investigation into Haimnot's kidnapping to be transferred to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).

The Jerusalem Municipality stated that it shares the Kasao family's grief and hopes for Haimnot's swift and safe return. The municipality pledged to support the family and explore alternative locations for a protest tent and other means to raise awareness. While respecting freedom of expression and protest, the municipality emphasized its obligation to maintain open, accessible, and safe public spaces. The request for a prolonged tent setup was evaluated based on the location's characteristics and accessibility impact. The municipality noted that the family had erected a Sukkah without authorization, which would remain until after the holiday, and committed to continuing to assist the family in finding solutions that balance their protest with public space preservation.