On November 20 2024, the Johannesburg Council for Disabled (JOCOD) will march to the United States of America Consulate Office in Sandton. The aim of the march is to call on the US government to stop supporting Israel in committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
JOCOD is an amalgamation of different organisations operating under one banner, providing an education and skills training workshop facility for adults with disabilities. JOCOD provides a holistic and integrated service to the beneficiaries which responds appropriately to their needs, recognising their strengths and capacity for empowerment and capacity building. The facility aims to empower and develop people with disabilities, providing them with a number of skills which includes adult education and training, basic numeracy and literacy and sports and recreation amongst other things. JOCOD wants to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities to promote dignity and independence.
Dr Haroon Tayob, the chairperson of JOCOD, told Salaam Foundation that their motto is that they do not look at the disability of the individual but rather the ability and their potential to develop. JOCOD focuses on adults with disabilities as there aren’t many arrangements from the government for adults with disabilities once they leave the schooling system.
Tayob said they decided to hold the march because they were aware of the struggles of people with disabilities in Palestine which was amplified through the tragic and horrendous killing of Mohammed Bhar. Mohammad Bhar was a 24-year-old Palestinian with Down syndrome and autism who died after being mauled by an Israeli military dog in the Gaza Strip. In July, Mohammad Bhar’s family home was raided by the Israeli and the combat dog started attacking him.
His mother recalled how the dog proceeded to attack Mohammad, biting his chest and hand, leaving him bleeding. She said that Mohammad, who had speech difficulties, was screaming at the dog, saying: “wala, wala [hey you],” and at other times, “Khalas ya habibi’ [enough, my dear]. The family were forced to leave Mohammed behind and returned a week later to his body which the Israelis had left without providing him without any additional care.
Tayob said this was the most cruel thing you could ever find a human being having to undergo. It is for this reason they decided to organise the march. Tayob said besides their cruel treatment of people with disabilities, the Israeli army is also creating many more disabilities through the bombing and direct shooting of Palestinians.
Internationally and within South Africa, from November 2 until December 3, National Disability Rights Awareness Month is celebrated with December 3 marked as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and is also celebrated as National Disability Rights Awareness Day.
It is for this reason JOCOD along with the other endorsed organisations have decided to hold the protest.
They are calling for an immediate ceasefire and for the United States government to stop sponsoring and supporting Israel by providing them with arms. A full memorandum will be handed over on the day of the march.
Their demands include:
“We call on the United States through its Consulate to:
- Unequivocally condemn the Israeli states deliberate actions against the civilian population and
people with disabilities in Gaza.
- Pressure the Israeli state to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza so that vital sources of life such
as food and medication as well as critical services are delivered to the Palestinians.
- Work in conjunction with the UN and other organisations to effectively address the safety measures
for the civilians and people with disabilities.
- To, with immediate effect, stop all forms of aid to the Israeli state so that no further military activities take place on an already devastated population. We demand that the United States take these measures to ensure the protection of the Palestinians and work towards a solution to end Israeli atrocities permanently. There must be justice and dignity for every human being, to ensure a lasting peace.
