Israeli President Herzog Confirms Shin Bet Involvement in Search for Missing Girl Heymenot Kasao

Israeli President Isaac Herzog informed the family of Heymenot Kasao on Tuesday afternoon that the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is now involved in the search for the missing nine-year-old girl. This development comes about two weeks after her parents formally requested Shin Bet chief David Zini to intervene. Herzog met with Kasao's parents and conveyed that Shin Bet joined the investigation following a recent request from the Israel Police, with the agency fully committed to aiding in locating Heymenot.

Heymenot's father, Tesfaye Kasao, expressed concerns about potential discrimination due to language barriers or skin color and emphasized the family's demand for Shin Bet's swift involvement. Her sister, Yeros Kasao, highlighted the emotional toll on the family, noting that Heymenot disappeared during wartime and that Shin Bet's participation could bring an end to their suffering. The family hopes to celebrate Heymenot's upcoming Bat Mitzvah at home in Jerusalem.

President Herzog stressed that Heymenot is regarded as a child of all Israel and that her search is a top priority for law enforcement agencies. Tesfaye Kasao expressed optimism about Heymenot's survival and return. Heymenot vanished from a reception center in Safed in February 2024. Earlier that month, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara approved Shin Bet's involvement to assist police with specific investigative tasks.

The family has criticized the police's handling of the case, citing poor communication and insufficient action. Tesfaye Kasao also recounted a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who promised to look into the matter but has not followed up. The family previously demonstrated near Shin Bet headquarters in Tel Aviv on the 900th day since Heymenot's disappearance, demanding the agency's involvement. The father underscored that the abduction from a public institution linked to the Jewish Agency and Ministry of Aliyah justifies Shin Bet's engagement, viewing the case as an affront to the state.