Fury as Gaza war surgeon who hailed terrorist behind murder of Israeli rabbi as ... trends now
A British-Palestinian doctor has been elected as rector of the University of Glasgow despite being investigated for allegedly praising terrorists - prompting fears for the safety of Jewish students.
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah was reported to the vice chancellor of the university last month over concerns he posted 'antisemitic' content online and hailed the Hamas terrorist behind the murder of an Israeli rabbi a 'hero'.
The high-profile doctor was also pictured sitting next to plane hijacker and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Leila Khaled at a memorial service in 2019.
Vice chancellor Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli confirmed on February 29 that the University of Glasgow would investigate such concerns.
In response to a letter sent by advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel, he wrote: 'Given the serious nature of the allegations set out in your letter, I have asked our Clerk of Senate - the returning officer for the election of rector - to investigate.'
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah was reported to the vice chancellor of the university last month over concerns he posted 'antisemitic' content online
He was pictured sitting next to plane hijacker and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine , Leila Khaled at a memorial service in 2019
However, Dr Abu-Sittah, who himself studied at the University of Glasgow, was elected to the high-profile position on Tuesday after winning a landslide victory of 80 per cent of the votes.
He ran his campaign as an 'opportunity for students to declare their opposition to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza' and to 'stand in solidarity with Palestine'.
Dr Abu-Sittah also proposed changing the University of Glasgow's definition of antisemitism to remove linking any criticism of Israel with the term.
He stated in his campaign manifesto: 'While I am absolutely committed to tackling all forms of anti-Semitism, it is my belief that, by linking criticism of Israel to antisemitism, this definition threatens academic criticism of Israel and Palestinian solidarity events.
'My fear, shared by the University and Colleges Union, is that such a definition risks undermining freedom of speech and intellectual thought on campus.'
But Jewish students at the University of Glasgow have raised concerns following Dr Abu-Sittah's election.
Dorothy Sheratt, co-president of Glasgow's Jewish Society said: 'We express deep concern and fear over the election of Ghassan Abu Sittah as the new Rector.
'Someone who eulogises proscribed terrorists (as defined in the US and EU) can not lead the university or fulfil the rector's obligation to provide pastoral care to all students, equally.'
Anat Kraskin, also from the society, added: 'If the university takes away our right to define our own discrimination, we can no longer trust them to keep us safe.
'Jewish students met with him and shared our perspective. He has not apologised or enacted our suggestions to ensure Jewish safety on campus.'
Dr Abu-Sittah has become a leading spokesperson on the situation in Gaza and has featured on national media outlets such as Sky News and the BBC since war broke out on October 7.
He has also provided testimonies to Scotland Yard's war crimes unit.
Dr Abu-Sittah was elected to the high-profile position on Tuesday, after winning a landslide victory of 80 per cent of the votes
UK Lawyers for Israel also claim that Dr Abu-Sittah shared an 'anti-semitic' social media post on November 10 making a comparison between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hitler
Dr Abu-Sittah has become a leading spokesperson on the situation in Gaza and has featured on national media outlets such as Sky News and the BBC since war broke out on October 7
Caroline Turner, director of legal advocacy group UK
