Students encouraged to bring red balloons to first day of school for missing child Haymanot Kasau
"The first day of school is always exciting," Haymanot's father Tesfaye Kasau said. "It's a happy day. For us, it's another hard day."
In a desperate plea, the family of Haymanot Kasau, a nine-year-old girl who went missing in Safed in 2024, has urged Israeli children to bring red balloons to school on their first day of the new academic year, set for September 1. Haymanot's father, Tesfaye Kasau, expressed his mixed emotions, stating that while the first day of school is typically a joyful occasion, it has become particularly difficult for them this year.
Known for her love of learning and intelligence, Haymanot's absence from sixth grade is a stark reality.
Following the family's statement, artists and public figures, including Israel's National Student and Youth Council, have started sharing red balloons on social media platforms. These posts aim to keep Haymanot's case in the public eye and encourage students, school principals, and administrators to actively support the search for her return home. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has been enlisted in the search efforts, with President Isaac Herzog confirming this during a meeting with the Kasau family on Tuesday.
Herzog emphasized that the Shin Bet is fully committed to contributing to Haymanot's recovery, praising the Israel Police's significant efforts in collaboration with the agency. He expressed hope for positive news regarding her whereabouts. The family had previously reached out to Zini, the Shin Bet chief, on Monday, requesting his involvement in the investigation.
This development comes after the family's direct appeal to Zini, highlighting the urgency and determination of the Kasau family to reunite with their beloved daughter.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
