The parents: Shlomo (Sliman) and Tzvia Baussi (Busi) emigrated from Yemen in 1949. At the time of the kidnapping they lived in Lifta. In 1950 their eldest son was born—Ariyeh. The mother gave birth at home in Lifta.

At two and a half years old she took him to the hospital, either Shaare Zedek or Bikur Cholim in Jerusalem. (Every time she had previously brought him to the hospital, the nurses would be irritated with mother: “why are you bringing him? He’s as fit as a horse,” they’d say). When she took him that time, she was told he had a defect in his heart or lungs. He was admitted, and when his parents came to visit the next day they were told that he had died.

They shut the door in their faces—they were so innocent. They didn’t investigate or ask, they didn’t scream. They said he was dead? He’s dead. Let us see the child—there is no child. Dead. They were told that he was buried in Givat Shaul or Har HaZeitim. But there was no grave. And of course they weren’t shown a body.

It isn’t known if there’s a death certificate. All these years mother would cry. They spoke of the child constantly. We appealed to the Shalgi Committee. It is unclear what has happened with the appeal.