From Europe to the West Bank.. A Citizen's Message Demanding Rights and Justice

Author: محمود صلاح

In Palestine, December 3rd passes like a brief window that opens for a single day. Slogans rise, speeches are delivered, and platforms are crowded with words… then everything closes, and we — the disabled — return to a reality that does not change much after the lights go out.

I am not a writer or a speaker; I am one of thousands who live this experience every day. I write because the voice is a right, and delivering the truth is an obligation that does not wait for an occasion.

We do not seek flattery or look for pity. We want our abilities to be seen before our disabilities, and we want to be treated based on what we can do, not on what we lose. We want a fair opportunity in education, work, and participation, not to be mentioned one day and then forgotten for the rest of the year.

We appreciate what the government has provided — including health insurance grants for persons with disabilities — and this effort is commendable, but it is not enough on its own. The reality of persons with disabilities requires a broader perspective, deeper policies, and actions that translate celebration into a better life, guaranteed rights, and doors that truly open, not just in words.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is not a fleeting celebration, but a reminder that justice cannot be reduced to a single day and that dignity is built on equal opportunities and respect for the humanity of every individual. It is an occasion for society to open its doors, not to beautify its platforms.

Perhaps this voice — the voice of one among thousands — will reach.

Perhaps it will remind that we do not need a celebration as much as we need a life that gives us justice.

Perhaps it will be a small step towards a reality that sees our potential and grants us what we deserve—a place in the sun.