Jerusalem Allows Protest Tent for Missing Girl to Continue

Jerusalem Municipality has approved an extension for a protest tent advocating for the return of Haimanut Kassaw, a 9-year-old girl who has been missing for nearly three years. The tent, located near the Supreme Court, will remain for an additional two weeks following an agreement with the family and their advocacy group, facilitated by MK Pnina Tamano-Shata. The municipality cited deep sensitivity to the family's pain and their ongoing struggle to bring Haimanut home.

The agreement was reached after the family and advocacy group withdrew a petition to the court regarding the tent's establishment. Under the terms, they have committed to vacating the site by October 22, 2026. The municipality stated it would continue to engage with the family to explore future support options.

The public is encouraged to visit the tent to show support for the family's efforts. Recent visitors included Matan Angrest, a hostage survivor released after 738 days in Hamas captivity, who came to express solidarity. Angrest emphasized the importance of public support during his ordeal and urged continued efforts to bring Haimanut home.

Haimanut's mother, Banchi, pleaded for continued public attention to prevent her daughter's case from fading from public discourse, highlighting the extreme difficulty of not knowing her daughter's whereabouts or condition. She urged supporters to keep sharing Haimanut's story until her return.

Matan Angrest's parents also voiced their support. His mother, Anat, expressed the family's desire for Haimanut to return home, just as their son did. His father, Hagai, wished the Kassaw family a swift reunion with their daughter. Haimanut has now been missing for 952 days.