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The UK Lawyers for Israel letter also accused Abu-Sittah of anti-semitism for, among other instances, re-posting "an antisemitic image featuring [[Hitler]] on one side and Israeli prime minister Netanyahu on the other side, both images smeared with blood, comparing Israel to the Nazis. The image was headed “Free Palestine (Palestinian Flag), Israel is a Nazi State”. The image compared the average pace of child killing of Hitler, at 127 children per day, to that of Netanyahu, which it put at 178 per day. In other words it implied that Israel is far worse than the Nazis. It said “Slaughter Over” for Hitler, and “Slaughter Ongoing” for Netanyahu."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uklfi.com/glasgow-university-investigating-dr-ghassan-abu-sitta-candidate-for-election-as-rector|title=Glasgow University investigating Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, candidate for election as Rector|website=UK Lawyers for Israel|access-date=2024-03-27|language=en}}</ref> This post has been interpreted by UK Lawyers for Israel as Antisemitism according to Example 10 of the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance]] definition of Antisemitism which proscribes "Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism|title=Working definition of antisemitism|website=International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance|access-date=2024-03-27|language=en}}</ref>
The UK Lawyers for Israel letter also accused Abu-Sittah of anti-semitism for, among other instances, re-posting "an antisemitic image featuring [[Hitler]] on one side and Israeli prime minister Netanyahu on the other side, both images smeared with blood, comparing Israel to the Nazis. The image was headed “Free Palestine (Palestinian Flag), Israel is a Nazi State”. The image compared the average pace of child killing of Hitler, at 127 children per day, to that of Netanyahu, which it put at 178 per day. In other words it implied that Israel is far worse than the Nazis. It said “Slaughter Over” for Hitler, and “Slaughter Ongoing” for Netanyahu."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uklfi.com/glasgow-university-investigating-dr-ghassan-abu-sitta-candidate-for-election-as-rector|title=Glasgow University investigating Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, candidate for election as Rector|website=UK Lawyers for Israel|access-date=2024-03-27|language=en}}</ref> This post has been interpreted by UK Lawyers for Israel as Antisemitism according to Example 10 of the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance]] definition of Antisemitism which proscribes "Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism|title=Working definition of antisemitism|website=International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance|access-date=2024-03-27|language=en}}</ref>


Since receiving UK Lawyers for Israel's letter, [[Glasgow University]] has launched an investigation into Abu-Sittah concerning his pro-terror and anti-Jewish statements.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/glasgow-university-investigating-doctor-who-praised-terrorist-pbxi49ct|title=Glasgow University investigating doctor who praised terrorist|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|first=Felix|last=Pope|date=20 March 2024|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref> Glasgow University is investigating as Abu-Sittah was running for and has since been elected [[Rector (academia)]] of the University.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24213251.gaza-war-surgeon-elected-rector-university-glasgow/|title=Gaza war surgeon elected rector of University of Glasgow|newspaper=The Herald|first=Gabriel|last=McKay|date=26 March 2024|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref>
Since receiving UK Lawyers for Israel's letter, [[Glasgow University]] has launched an investigation into Abu-Sittah concerning his pro-terror and anti-Jewish statements.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/glasgow-university-investigating-doctor-who-praised-terrorist-pbxi49ct|title=Glasgow University investigating doctor who praised terrorist|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|first=Felix|last=Pope|date=20 March 2024|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref>
The UK-based, Commmittee for Accuracey in Middle East Reporting and Analysis has reported that Abu-Sitah, spoke at a ceremony for the one-year anniversary of the death of Maher Al-Yamani, the co-founder of the terrorist group, [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://camera-uk.org/2024/01/02/the-times-publishes-puff-piece-on-pro-terror-london-surgeon/|title=THE TIMES PUBLISHES PUFF-PIECE ON PRO-TERROR LONDON SURGEON.|newspaper=COMMITTEE FOR ACCURACY IN MIDDLE EAST REPORTING AND ANALYSIS|first=Adam|last=Levick|date=2 January 2024|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref> A video showing Abu-Sittah's emotional eulogy at the event is published on the Jewish Chronicle's website.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/gaza-surgeon-used-as-pundit-by-bbc-sky-and-cnn-wept-as-he-praised-terror-leader-eo6hdpb2|title=Gaza surgeon used as pundit by BBC, Sky and CNN wept as he praised terror leader|newspaper=Jewish Chronicle|first=Felix|last=Pope|date=1 December 2023|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref>
The UK-based, Commmittee for Accuracey in Middle East Reporting and Analysis has reported that Abu-Sitah, spoke at a ceremony for the one-year anniversary of the death of Maher Al-Yamani, the co-founder of the terrorist group, [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://camera-uk.org/2024/01/02/the-times-publishes-puff-piece-on-pro-terror-london-surgeon/|title=THE TIMES PUBLISHES PUFF-PIECE ON PRO-TERROR LONDON SURGEON.|newspaper=COMMITTEE FOR ACCURACY IN MIDDLE EAST REPORTING AND ANALYSIS|first=Adam|last=Levick|date=2 January 2024|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref> A video showing Abu-Sittah appear to cry while delivering a eulogy at the event is published on [[The Jewish Chronicle]]'s website.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/gaza-surgeon-used-as-pundit-by-bbc-sky-and-cnn-wept-as-he-praised-terror-leader-eo6hdpb2|title=Gaza surgeon used as pundit by BBC, Sky and CNN wept as he praised terror leader|newspaper=Jewish Chronicle|first=Felix|last=Pope|date=1 December 2023|accessdate=27 March 2024}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==

Revision as of 10:19, 27 March 2024

Ghassan Abu-Sittah
غسان أبو ستة
Born
Ghassan Salman Abu-Sittah

1969 (age 54–55)
Kuwait
Other namesGhassan Abu Sitta
Alma mater
Children3
Websitedrghassanabusittah.com

Ghassan Soleiman Abu-Sittah (Arabic: غسان أبو ستة; born 1968/1969)[1] is a British-Palestinian plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is known for his work in conflict zones and specialises in craniofacial surgery, aesthetic surgery, cleft lip and palate surgery, and trauma related injuries.[2]

Early life and education

Ghassan was born in Kuwait to a Palestinian family who had left their home during 1948 Arab–Israeli War and become refugees in the Gaza Strip. They later moved to Egypt and the UK in the late 1980s.[3] Abu-Sittah studied at the University of Glasgow[4] and completed a postgraduate residency in London. He underwent three fellowships: Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery and Cleft Surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Kids (GOS), and Trauma Reconstruction at the Royal London Hospital.[5]

Career

Abu-Sittah first visited the Gaza Strip as a medical student during the First Intifada in 1989.[4][6] He was inspired to focus on conflict medicine by Ang Swee Chai.[6]

After graduating from university, Abu-Sittah began working for the National Health Service.[7] In July 2005, Abu-Sittah helped treat victims of the London bombings.[7]

Abu-Sittah traveled to Gaza as a member of Medical Aid for Palestinians to provide medical assistance during the Second Intifada, the 2008-2009 Gaza War, the 2012 Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip, the 2014 Gaza War, and the 2018 Great March.[8][9] Abu-Sittah has also worked in war zones in Iraq., Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.[4][7]

In January 2011, Abu-Sittah joined the faculty of the American University of Beirut Hospital.[7] He worked as the director of the hospital's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department from 2012 until September 2020.[4][6][8] In 2015, he also co-founded and co-directed the Conflict Medicine Program at the AUB's Global Health Institute.[6][7] Abu-Sittah also provided remote assistance for surgeons working in the Gaza Strip.[10]

In 2021, Abu-Sittah worked as a lecturer at the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London.[6]

Abu-Sittah returned to Gaza on October 9, 2023 at the onset of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.[11] During the war, Abu-Sittah worked with Doctors Without Borders out of the Al-Shifa Hospital.[4][12][13] He has spoken to news outlets and posted updates on Twitter about the hospital and some of the patients.[13][14][15] On November 18, after 43 days, Abu-Sittah returned to London, where he gave a press conference discussing his experiences.[11][16] During the press conference, he said he treated patients suffering from white phosphorus burns, which the IDF has denied using.[16][17] Abu-Sittah plans to work with Scotland Yard to share his testimony of the situation in Gaza.[11] In January 2024, he travelled to the Hague to meet with International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators.[18]

Abu-Sittah was an editor and co-author of the book Reconstructing the War Injured Patient.[6] He is a trustee of the Institute for Palestine Studies.[5]

Abu-Sittah was elected Rector of his Alma Mater, Glasgow University on 26 March, 2024.[19]

Controversies Concerning Promoting Terrorism and Anti-Semitism

Abu-Sittah has faced significant accusations of promoting terrorism and spreading anti-semitism.

In March 2024, UK Lawyers for Israel sent an open letter to Glasgow Univeristy which included a review of Abu-Sittah's public social media comments. The letter accused Abu-Sittah of being pro-terror by, among other instances, reposting "an image commemorating a leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, Nasser Abu Hamid, the day after he died, holding a machine gun, dripping with blood."[20]

The UK Lawyers for Israel letter also accused Abu-Sittah of anti-semitism for, among other instances, re-posting "an antisemitic image featuring Hitler on one side and Israeli prime minister Netanyahu on the other side, both images smeared with blood, comparing Israel to the Nazis. The image was headed “Free Palestine (Palestinian Flag), Israel is a Nazi State”. The image compared the average pace of child killing of Hitler, at 127 children per day, to that of Netanyahu, which it put at 178 per day. In other words it implied that Israel is far worse than the Nazis. It said “Slaughter Over” for Hitler, and “Slaughter Ongoing” for Netanyahu."[21] This post has been interpreted by UK Lawyers for Israel as Antisemitism according to Example 10 of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of Antisemitism which proscribes "Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis."[22]

Since receiving UK Lawyers for Israel's letter, Glasgow University has launched an investigation into Abu-Sittah concerning his pro-terror and anti-Jewish statements.[23]

The UK-based, Commmittee for Accuracey in Middle East Reporting and Analysis has reported that Abu-Sitah, spoke at a ceremony for the one-year anniversary of the death of Maher Al-Yamani, the co-founder of the terrorist group, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.[24] A video showing Abu-Sittah appear to cry while delivering a eulogy at the event is published on The Jewish Chronicle's website.[25]

Personal life

Ghassan moved to Beirut in 2011.[7]

As of 2023, Abu-Sittah lives in East London with his wife Deema[26] and three sons.[4] On 16 October 2023, Abu-Sittah's family in London was questioned by Met Police about Abu-Sittah's work in Gaza.[4][27][3]

References

  1. ^ Howeidy, Amira (October 24, 2023). "'Gaza war does not compare to Syria or Yemen'". Ahram Online. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "About: Advisors". United Palestinian Appeal. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Lampert, Nicole (2023-12-02). "Can the media trust this doctor in Gaza?". UnHerd. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Grierson, Jamie; Sherwood, Harriet (2023-10-17). "Surgeon treating patients in Gaza says police in London 'harassed' his family". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  5. ^ a b "Trustee, Senior Fellow: Ghassan Abu-Sittah". Institute for Palestine Studies. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halawa, Ahmed (2021-07-26). "Ghassan Abu-Sittah: A War-Zone Surgeon Sets Up a Curriculum for Conflict Medicine". Al-Fanar Media. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Woodward, Michelle (2020-12-15). "The Evolution of Conflict Medicine in the Middle East - An Interview with Ghassan Abu Sittah". MERIP. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  8. ^ a b Wedeman, Ben (2018-05-18). "He's treated thousands. The surgeon who keeps returning to Gaza". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  9. ^ Issa, Perla (2018-08-01). "INTERVIEW WITH DR. GHASSAN ABU SITTA"There Is No International Community"". Journal of Palestine Studies. 47 (4): 46–56. doi:10.1525/jps.2018.47.4.46. ISSN 0377-919X. S2CID 158850801.
  10. ^ "In Gaza, hand surgery gets remote assistance from Beirut". Reuters. 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  11. ^ a b c Sebouai, Lilia (2023-11-27). "'I performed six amputations in one night': London doctor recalls war horrors after 43 days in Gaza". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  12. ^ Ashraf, Benjamin (2023-10-25). "Until the final breath: Ghassan Abu-Sittah's oath to Gaza". The New Arab. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  13. ^ a b "5 Doctors and Journalists Playing Vital Roles in Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis". Vogue Arabia. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  14. ^ Dagres, Holly (2023-10-12). "Gaza under siege: A doctor recounts the humanitarian cost of war". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  15. ^ "Gaza hospitals running out of supplies for wounded as Israel's bombardment goes on". The Independent. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  16. ^ a b Abdul, Geneva (2023-11-27). "London surgeon says he saw 'massacre unfold' while working in Gaza hospitals". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  17. ^ Pope, Felix. "Gaza surgeon used as pundit by BBC, Sky and CNN wept as he praised terror leader". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  18. ^ AFP (8 January 2024). "UK-Palestinian surgeon fights for 'justice' after Gaza return". France24. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  19. ^ McKay, Gabriel (26 March 2024). "Gaza war surgeon elected rector of University of Glasgow". The Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  20. ^ UK Lawyers for Israel University investigating Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, candidate for election as Rector https://www.uklfi.com/glasgow-university-investigating-dr-ghassan-abu-sitta-candidate-for-election-as-rectortitle=Glasgow University investigating Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, candidate for election as Rector. Retrieved 2024-03-27. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ "Glasgow University investigating Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, candidate for election as Rector". UK Lawyers for Israel. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  22. ^ "Working definition of antisemitism". International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  23. ^ Pope, Felix (20 March 2024). "Glasgow University investigating doctor who praised terrorist". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  24. ^ Levick, Adam (2 January 2024). "THE TIMES PUBLISHES PUFF-PIECE ON PRO-TERROR LONDON SURGEON". COMMITTEE FOR ACCURACY IN MIDDLE EAST REPORTING AND ANALYSIS. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  25. ^ Pope, Felix (1 December 2023). "Gaza surgeon used as pundit by BBC, Sky and CNN wept as he praised terror leader". Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  26. ^ Dadouch, Sarah (15 December 2023). "A doctor went to Gaza to help. What he saw there still haunts him". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Met Police question London family of doctor in Gaza". BBC News. 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
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