A demonstration was held on Wednesday in Jerusalem's Paris Square on behalf of the campaign to find Haymanot Kasau.
The demonstration, led by the Kasau family, was initiated as a call for the transfer of the investigation of Haymanot's disappearance to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
The protest follows the Jerusalem Municipality's refusal to permit the abducted girl's family to erect a protest tent.
The Kasau family repeatedly sought approval to establish a tent outside the Supreme Court, near the Knesset, and opposite the Prime Minister's residence.
They are seeking to raise awareness of the disappearance of their daughter, Haymanot Kasau, who went missing on February 25, 2024, at the age of nine, from the Safed absorption center where she lived with her family. She has not been found since.
It has been 941 days since Haymanot's disappearance.
'Investigation is being handled as an afterthought,' campaign claims
Tesfaye Kasau, father of Haymanot, addressed Lahav 433, the Shin Bet, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"About ten days ago, we sat at Lahav 433 and asked question after question, and not a single one received an answer. Those who are supposed to provide answers, those responsible for investigating, didn't answer and simply didn't seem to know.
"Do they have suspects? Do they have a direction for the investigation? Is the investigation focused inside Israel or abroad? Were all checks performed, such as phone geolocations and polygraphs for everyone at the absorption center on that terrible night?
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. How can this be? How is it that the investigation into the abduction of a girl who has already turned 11 is being conducted like this? How can it be that those who are supposed to protect us act as if there is time? As if Haymanot doesn't need us to save her, as if Haymanot isn't important."
He lambasted the government for failing to handle the investigation, asking once again for it to be handed over to the Shin Bet, before asking the people of Israel to "stay with us and continue to support us so that we succeed in our struggle for a proper, equal investigation."
An earlier statement released on behalf of the campaign said, "The investigation is being handled as an afterthought, having already passed through four different hands without a single lead - which is why the demonstration aims to press the ongoing demand to transfer the case to the Shin Bet."
Haymanot’s parents, Tesfaya and Benchi Kasau, have led a public campaign calling for increased efforts to locate her, including protests outside Lahav 433 offices and a march in Tel Aviv.
Shelly Shem Tov, mother of freed Hamas hostage, grateful and ashamed
Shelly Shem Tov, mother of released hostage Omer Shem Tov, came to speak at the demonstration for Haymanot.
She related to the family by recalling the fears and emotions from when her son was in captivity.
"When the hostages were in captivity, we felt the embrace of the Israeli public; we felt that we were not alone. Now I stand here and look at you, a small group of people, and every single one of you is so meaningful to Haymanot's family. Because feeling alone, feeling abandoned, is simply terrible. I want to thank each and every one of you for not leaving Haymanot's family alone."
She continued, saying, "On the other hand, I feel ashamed because I feel that I too had somewhat forgotten Haymanot and her family. And the same goes for the people of Israel. I am certain it is not out of bad intentions, but because there isn't the sheer force of numbers needed to shake up those who need to be shaken up. I want to say that being a mother whose child is not with her is something I wouldn't wish on anyone.
"Haymanot is not where she ought to be - at home with her family and friends. Haymanot disappeared out of the blue. And because this family doesn't have the words to scream in Hebrew so they can be heard, they lack that strength.
"I appeal to everyone who stood with us during our struggle: come and make this family feel they are not alone. The public needs to be here."