British-Palestinian Doctor Ghassan Abu-Sittah Banned Entry to the Netherlands Sparks Outrage

British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu-Sittah has been refused entry to the Netherlands. An EU-wide administrative ban was imposed on the man. Recently, Abu-Sittah was banned from entering Germany and France. D66 and GroenLinks-PvdA want clarification from Foreign Minister Bruins Slot.

Abu-Sittah often speaks out against Israel’s attacks on Gaza. The surgeon, who is also chancellor of the University of Glasgow, was due to speak at the University of Amsterdam next week. He would also attend an event organized by the Rights Forum, a Dutch information center that stands up for Palestinian rights.

According to the Rights Forum, Abu-Sittah had also planned a meeting with several MPs. That would have been with Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) and Kati Piri (GroenLinks-PvdA). The news agency ANP writes that Piri believes that it was “accidental” that Abu-Sittah was denied entry to the Netherlands. Jan Paternette (D66) finds it “amazing” that the Netherlands is denying him access without his own consideration.

Last month, Abu-Sittah was refused entry to Germany at Berlin airport. He spoke at the Palestinian Congress there about his experiences in Gaza. The conference was banned by the German authorities.

The police also attacked this meeting. According to the police, a live stream was shown of a person who is not allowed to carry out political activities in Germany. The famous doctor was refused entry to France last weekend, where he was to attend a meeting of the French Senate.

The Netherlands is following the example of Germany and France, says the Rights Forum. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms to NOS that the reason for rejecting Abu-Sittah is the administrative ban. It is not clear why European countries are on Abu-Sittah’s blacklist.

The doctor himself says that Germany, which is an important military ally of Israel, is trying to silence him. “This is what criminals do,” he said after being turned away in Berlin. “They hide the evidence and silence or intimidate witnesses.”

In the first months of the war, the doctor worked in various hospitals in northern Gaza, where he saw a humanitarian disaster. He was often seen in the international media and was interviewed several times as a witness with the NOS.

Earlier this year, Abu-Sittah was in The Hague for a meeting with the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, says the Rights Forum. The British newspaper The Guardian reports that the doctor has given evidence to the ICC. “As a host country, the Netherlands has a special duty not to obstruct justice,” the Rights Forum reports.

There are indications that the ICC wants to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. Prime Minister Netanyahu has reacted angrily to this and says that Israel is not carrying out acts of war in Gaza.