Still Missing: Haymanut Kasau Turns 10

When a child goes missing, every second counts. However, what happens when Israeli society stays silent? One year, two months, and three days after Haymanut Kasau vanished in Tzfat, her story has received little attention, raising questions about racial bias in Israel. Just yesterday, Haymanut would have celebrated her 10th birthday—a painful reminder for her family and community of the time that continues to pass without answers.

The disappearance of Kasau on February 25, 2024, has fueled ongoing criticism over racial discrimination in Israel. Despite extensive search efforts and more than a year of heart-wrenching uncertainty, the case has received little national attention, leading Ethiopian-Israeli activists to argue that cases involving their community do not receive the same urgency from authorities and the public.

Kasau lived with her parents and five siblings in an absorption center. They made Aliya to Israel from Ethiopia three years before her disappearance. She was last seen on security footage in a park near her home. Police launched a large-scale search, including K-9 units, drones, and helicopters, yet no significant leads have emerged. While authorities continue investigating, her family remains frustrated, feeling her case has not received the urgency or attention it deserves.

Activists point to a pattern in Israeli media, where cases involving Black people in Israel often receive less coverage. They highlight the stark contrast between the lack of attention given to minorities in Israel, such as Kasau’s disappearance, and the national media campaigns and public outcry that emerge in cases involving majority groups.

“This isn’t just about one girl—this is about how Ethiopian lives are valued in Israeli society,” said Shlomo Mola, a former Knesset member. “Had Haymanut been from a different background, her story would have been everywhere.”

As the search for Haymanut continues, activists call for equal treatment and accountability in all cases of injustice, regardless of race. They argue that racial bias in Israel’s institutions, from law enforcement to media coverage, determines which cases receive national attention. Haymanut’s case and others, such as the fatal hit and run of 4-year-old Rafael Adana and recently released 10-year hostage Avera Mengistu, his family said explicitly, “Without the October 7th tragedy, our son would never have been released”. This also sheds light on the unfair difference between cases that received minimal media coverage and public mobilization compared to incidents involving non-Black Israelis.

This story emphasizes the importance of finding Haymanut Kasau and ensuring every child is protected and cared for, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.

As her tenth birthday passes without answers, the call grows louder: Will Israel give Haymanut the justice and attention she deserves?