As the world marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Israeli occupation forces abducted a young Palestinian man with disabilities during a military incursion into the town of Kafr ed‑Deek, west of Salfit in the occupied West Bank, on Wednesday evening.
Local sources identified the abducted Palestinian as Ramadan Jaser ed‑Deek, a resident of Kafr ed‑Deek. Witnesses reported that soldiers stormed the town, invaded and ransacked homes, and abducted ed‑Deek despite his disability.
The sources added that the Palestinian was walking back home in the town when the soldiers stopped him, before they assaulted and abducted him.
The timing of the abduction underscored the stark contrast between international commitments to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and Israel’s ongoing violations against them.
Witnesses told Palestinian media that the invasion was carried out with heavy military presence, instilling fear among residents.
Reports also indicated that other members of the ed‑Deek family were targeted in recent abduction campaigns, reflecting a broader pattern of collective punishment in the Salfit area.
Human rights advocates emphasized that the abduction of a disabled man on a day dedicated to affirming dignity and rights highlights Israel’s disregard for international law.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by Israel, prohibits discrimination and requires states to ensure equal protection and humanitarian treatment for persons with disabilities, including during armed conflict.
This incident adds to a growing record of abductions and abuses against vulnerable Palestinians, including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Rights groups have documented repeated cases of arbitrary detention, denial of medical care, and mistreatment of detainees in Israeli prisons.
The abduction of Ramadan ed‑Deek on December 3, 2025, stands as a stark reminder of the daily violations endured by Palestinians under occupation, even on days meant to symbolize global solidarity with marginalized communities.
