The elected rector of the University of Glasgow, a prominent Palestinian doctor and activist, has been exonerated by a medical tribunal over allegations of antisemitism and supporting a proscribed organisation.
Tribunal Dismisses GMC Misconduct Case
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta, a plastic surgeon, appeared via video link before a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) fitness to practise panel in Manchester. The three-day hearing, which concluded on Friday, saw the three-person panel reject the misconduct case brought by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The case centred on a newspaper article Dr Abu-Sitta wrote for a Lebanese publication and two social media posts on X, formerly Twitter. The GMC had argued the content crossed a boundary from legitimate political speech into professional misconduct.
Analysis of Social Media Posts and Article
The tribunal, chaired by Ian Comfort, examined an article in which Dr Abu-Sitta wrote about the "martyrdom" of Ahmad Nasr Jarrar, a believed Hamas member, stating "The people have no weapon left but revolutionary violence." The panel stated it considered the article in its entirety, which expressed criticism of Palestinian political elites, and could not identify anything antisemitic or supportive of terrorism.
Regarding the social media posts, one reposted tweet congratulated "brothers in Hamas and our comrades in the Popular Front" on their anniversary. The tribunal noted Hamas's political wing was proscribed under the Terrorism Act in 2021 but found no evidence of when the tweet was posted beyond it being sometime before 2023. They concluded an "ordinary reader" would view it as an anniversary celebration, not as providing "material or moral aid" to terrorism.
A second tweet referenced "Martyrs in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine," naming individuals involved in historical operations from 1973 and 1974. Dr Abu-Sitta contended that those understanding the 1970s political context would see it as solidarity. The chair stated that through the lens of an ordinary, reasonable Arabic reader, the tweet could not be seen as inciting or supporting violence.
Reactions and Broader Context
Dr Abu-Sitta, who is Kuwaiti-born, studied at Glasgow University and lives in London. He argued he had been racially profiled as "inherently violent" because he is Palestinian and Arab. He accused UK Lawyers for Israel, which brought the matter to the GMC, of "trying to destroy my life."
A spokesperson for UK Lawyers for Israel responded, calling the tribunal's decision "shocking" and stating it was acceptable for doctors to commemorate acts of violence and pay tribute to terrorists. They added the decision brought the profession into disrepute and that Jewish patients would likely be terrified of being treated by him.
Ros Emsley-Smith, representing the GMC, maintained Dr Abu-Sitta had "overstepped the boundary of legitimate political speech."
The University of Glasgow clarified that the rector is elected by students, that Dr Abu-Sitta is not a university staff member, and does not speak for the institution.
