Everyone found a piece of sidewalk, only for the Kasau family not: The municipality refuses a protest encampment
The family of Haymanot Kasau, missing for over two and a half years, has been unsuccessfully trying to get permission from the Jerusalem municipality to set up a protest tent near the Knesset or the Prime Minister's residence. The municipality rejects the request, citing harm to the public space, while many other encampments operate in the city. The family has petitioned the court and will hold a protest tomorrow.
The family of Haymanot Kasau, missing for more than two and a half years, faces repeated refusal from the Jerusalem municipality to set up a protest tent that would remind the public of her disappearance and pressure authorities to intensify search efforts. Since May 2026, family members and accompanying activists have tried to obtain permission to place a tent near the Knesset or adjacent to the Prime Minister's residence. They approached the municipality through ministers, council members, and the mayor, but were denied. Dr. Shula Mola, a social activist in the headquarters for the return of Haymanot, said the latest request was met with a general response that the municipality's policy had changed, without details. The family enlisted the help of the Association for Civil Rights and petitioned the court. The municipality responded that the request was examined on its merits, and that a tent for an extended period could harm the accessibility of the public space, especially for people with disabilities and parents with strollers. However, activists note that many other encampments operate in the city and wonder why specifically the Kasau family is rejected. Tomorrow, the family is expected to hold a protest at Paris Square in Jerusalem.