Father of Missing Ethiopian-Israeli Girl Urges Shin Bet to Join Search After 899 Days

Tsafiya Kasao, father of nine-year-old Heymenot Kasao who disappeared from a reception center in Safed in February 2022, has written a heartfelt letter to Shin Bet chief David Zini pleading for the agency's involvement in the ongoing search. After 899 days without progress, Kasao expressed his anguish and determination to maintain hope despite feeling he has failed in his life's mission to protect his daughter. He read the letter in both Amharic and Hebrew during a protest near the Shin Bet offices in Jerusalem.

In the letter, Kasao described the dream he and his wife had when immigrating to Israel to raise their children in safety and happiness, a dream now turned into a nightmare. He questioned whether his daughter's disappearance is being taken less seriously due to her Ethiopian background and immigrant status, asking, "If she were blonde, would her life be more important?" He called on the Shin Bet to prove that Israel is a safe place for all Jews, regardless of origin.

Kasao highlighted the Shin Bet's unique capabilities, referencing their successful operations in locating hostages and solving complex cases, and urged them to apply their expertise to find Heymenot. He noted that after two and a half years, the investigation has become more complicated and requires advanced intelligence tools beyond the police's current reach.

The family's appeal comes amid frustration with the police's lack of leads and follows the Shin Bet's recent establishment of a specialized unit to combat organized crime in Arab society and their involvement in the search for another missing child, Yuval Kogan. Kasao concluded his letter by thanking the Shin Bet in advance and emphasizing the urgent need for results, not excuses, as the 900th day since Heymenot's disappearance approaches.

Heymenot Kasao vanished from the Safed absorption center in February 2022, and her family continues to demand renewed efforts and cooperation from Israeli security agencies to bring her home.