A prominent Palestinian doctor and activist has been cleared of professional misconduct by a medical watchdog following allegations of antisemitism and supporting a proscribed organisation.
Medical Tribunal Dismisses GMC Case
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta, who serves as the elected rector of the University of Glasgow, appeared before a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service fitness to practise panel in Manchester. The three-day hearing, which concluded on Friday, saw the three-person panel reject the case brought against him by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The allegations stemmed from a newspaper article he authored for a Lebanese publication and two social media posts on X, formerly Twitter. In the article, Dr Abu-Sitta wrote about the "martyrdom" of Ahmad Nasr Jarrar, a figure believed to be a member of Hamas, stating: "The people have no weapon left but revolutionary violence."
Context is Key, Says Tribunal Chair
Ian Comfort, the chair of the tribunal panel, emphasised that the body did not "cherrypick" quotes but considered the article in its entirety. The tribunal found the piece expressed views critical of political elites in Palestine and could not identify content that was antisemitic or supportive of terrorism or violence.
The social media posts in question included one where Dr Abu-Sitta reposted a message congratulating "brothers in Hamas" on their anniversary. The tribunal noted that Hamas's political wing was proscribed under the Terrorism Act in 2021, but it had no evidence of when the tweet was posted other than it was sometime before 2023.
The panel concluded that an "ordinary reader" would view the tweet as a simple anniversary celebration and not as providing "material or moral aid" to terrorism. A second tweet referenced historical figures from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The tribunal, considering the perspective of an "ordinary, reasonable Arabic reader," found it could not be seen as inciting or supporting violence.
Activist Accuses Critics of "Trying to Destroy My Life"
Dr Abu-Sitta, a Kuwaiti-born plastic surgeon who studied at Glasgow and lives in London, argued he had been racially profiled as "inherently violent" because he is Palestinian and Arab. He accused the group UK Lawyers for Israel, which brought the matter to the GMC's attention, of "trying to destroy my life."
A spokesperson for UK Lawyers for Israel responded, saying it was "shocking that the tribunal has found it acceptable for doctors to commemorate acts of violence and pay tribute to terrorists." They added that Dr Abu-Sitta had "brought the profession into disrepute" and that Jewish patients might be "terrified of being treated by him."
Ros Emsley-Smith, representing the GMC, had argued that the doctor had "overstepped the boundary of legitimate political speech and into the realms of misconduct."
The University of Glasgow clarified that Dr Abu-Sitta, as rector, is elected by students and is not a member of university staff, nor does he speak for the institution. The role is largely ceremonial, representing the student body to the university's management.
