Jerusalem Mayor's Office Approves Protest Tent for Cassao Family Seeking Missing Son

The Cassao family's protest tent, established to raise awareness for their missing son Haimanut, will be re-established in Jerusalem after being dismantled by the municipality. The Jerusalem Municipality and the Haimanut struggle headquarters announced on Sunday that the tent would be permitted for the next two weeks. The tent, erected two weeks prior opposite the Government Complex, was removed the previous night due to the municipality's refusal to allow a protest tent near the Prime Minister's residence. However, intervention by Member of Knesset Pnina Tamano-Shata of the Blue and White party led to the approval. During the Sukkot holiday, the tent became a gathering point for thousands of Israelis, including hostages and their families, who joined the Cassao family's plea to find Haimanut. Several opposition Knesset members visited to support the family and pressure the municipality. The Association for Civil Rights, which supported the family and petitioned the court against the municipality, will withdraw its petition following this development. The Cassao family is demanding a meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Shin Bet head David Zinni, but has been ignored by both offices. "David Zinni must meet them, there is no such thing as him not meeting them. What kind of way is this? The Shin Bet must take the lead. What is this strange insistence? All of Israel are guarantors for one another," Tamano-Shata stated. The Jerusalem Municipality stated that the decision was made out of sensitivity and deep understanding of the family's pain and their ongoing struggle to find Haimanut, who has been missing for nearly three years. The municipality will continue to engage with the family and the struggle headquarters after the two-week period to explore future steps and provide assistance within its capabilities.