Palestinian Doctor Banned from France After Witnessing Gaza War

Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian surgeon, was denied entry to France on Saturday, where he was scheduled to speak at the French Senate about his experiences treating victims of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. French authorities informed Abu Sitta that Germany had banned him from entering Europe for one year, following a previous incident where German police barred him from entering the country earlier this month.

Why this matters: The silencing of witnesses like Dr. Abu Sitta raises concerns about the suppression of information and the erosion of free speech, particularly when it comes to sensitive political issues. This incident also highlights the challenges faced by those seeking to hold governments accountable for alleged human rights violations and war crimes.

Abu Sitta, who is also the rector of the University of Glasgow, reacted to the ban on social media, saying: "Fortress Europe silencing the witnesses to the genocide while Israel kills them in prison." Andrew Feinstein, a former South African politician and pro-Palestine activist, criticized Germany's deportation of Abu Sitta, stating: "How mad is this country to stop a doctor speaking about what he has witnessed firsthand, something that the International Court of Justice thinks is likely a genocide."

The British-Palestinian surgeon spent 43 days volunteering in Gaza hospitals, primarily at the al-Ahli and Shifa hospitals in north Gaza, during Israel's military offensive on the besieged enclave. With over 30 years of experience, Abu Sitta has worked in 12 wars across Yemen, Iraq, Syria, South Lebanon, and Gaza. Upon returning from Gaza, he testified to the UK's Metropolitan Police about the deaths he witnessed and the types of weapons used, as part of evidence being gathered for an International Criminal Court probe into alleged Israeli war crimes.

The incident occurs amidst the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which has resulted in at least 34,654 Palestinian deaths and 77,908 injuries since October 7, according to the Palestine Health Ministry. In the last 24 hours alone, Israeli forces have killed 32 people and injured 41 others in Gaza. The war has now entered its 211th day, with mass destruction and shortages of necessities plaguing the Palestinian territory.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned against a major Israeli assault on the Gaza city of Rafah, citing concerns about civilian protection and potential damage "beyond what's acceptable." The ban on Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a witness to the devastating impact of the war, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those seeking to shed light on the situation in Gaza.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian surgeon, was denied entry to France to speak about his experiences in Gaza.
• Germany banned Abu Sitta from entering Europe for 1 year after a previous incident.
• Abu Sitta spent 43 days volunteering in Gaza hospitals and witnessed alleged war crimes.
• The incident highlights the suppression of information and erosion of free speech on sensitive political issues.
• The ban occurs amidst the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.