Glasgow University is investigating whether a doctor with a history of commemorating terrorists on social media is a suitable candidate for its Rector of Glasgow University after UKLFI alerted it to his past social media posts.

Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta next to Leilah Khaled, former Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hijacker. They are commemorating the first anniversary of the death of Maher Al-Yamani on 7 April 2019.   Al-Yamani co-founded the  PFLP.

Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, who has worked in Gaza during this current war, has been put forward for election as Rector of Glasgow university.  He works as a consultant reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeon and also fronts charities raising money for Gaza.

On Wednesday 21 February 2024 a motion was submitted by Ross Greer, West Scotland, Scottish Green Party welcoming the announcement that Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta will run as a candidate for Rector of the University of Glasgow.  The Rector is elected by the registered students of the University and his or her main role is to represent the University’s students.  Soon after that announcement, UKLFI wrote to Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli FRSE, principal and vice chancellor of Glasgow University,  showing him screenshots of the offensive social media tweets by Dr Abu Sitta.

Sir Anton responded by saying “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.”

Even though the University has had three weeks to investigate, Dr Abu Sitta’s name is still  shown as one of the candidates for the election, which is due to take place on 25 and 26 March 2024.

Dr Abu-Sitta has a history of posting and re-posting alarming tweets on social media, that appear to indicate his support for terrorists and terrorism, as well as posting an antisemitic image. His social media posts include:

• On 8 April 2022 he posted an image of two men wrapped in Khaffiyas,  posing with guns.
• On 28 March 2022 he posted a picture of a Palestinian terrorist running forwards, in a threatening manner, holding a large gun, with the slogan “Nous Vaincrons” (“we will overcome”).
• On 26 November 2019 he glorified two PFLP General Command terrorists who committed the Night of the Gliders attack in 1987

Dr Abu-Sittah has also eulogised the terrorist Maher Al-Yamani who co-founded the  Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).  According to a report in the Jewish Chronicle, on 1 December 2023, Dr Abu-Sitta  spoke at a ceremony in Beirut commemorating the first anniversary of the death of Maher Al-Yamani on 7 April 2019.

He is quoted as saying: “This is our only comfort: that even when Maher leaves, the Israelis will be afraid of Maher,”.  Some of the atrocities that the PFLP were involved in include:  the hijacking of flights in the 1960s, throwing grenades at embassies  gunning down passengers at Ben Gurion airport  in 1972,  suicide bombings in Netanya market, and in the bus station in Petah Tikvah,  and the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv,  a synagogue massacre in 2014 in Jerusalem in which four worshipers were killed,  and the 2019 murder of teenager Rina Shnerb in Israel.  The event is shown on a Facebook post.

A UKLFI spokesperson commented:   “If Dr Abu Sitta, a man with a history of commemorating terrorists,  were to be elected as Rector of Glasgow University, it would bring the University of Glasgow into disrepute.  We are surprised that three weeks after having been informed of this information, the University is still allowing this candidate to be listed.”

Dr Abu Sitta has previously commented to the Jewish Chronicle: “I vehemently oppose terrorism, and civilian casualties on all sides. As a surgeon, my vocation is preserving life and I repeat my calls for a sustainable ceasefire and lasting peace.”