Prominent British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta was denied entry into France on Saturday, where he was scheduled to address the senate about Israel’s attacks against Gaza’s healthcare system. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) revealed that French authorities at Charles De Gaulle airport informed Abu Sitta that Germany had enforced a Schengen-wide ban on his entry into Europe.
Abu Sitta, who volunteered in Gaza last year and witnessed Israel’s deadly bombing campaign, expressed his frustration at being silenced by what he called “Fortress Europe.” He likened the ban to an attempt to silence witnesses to the genocide occurring in Gaza, referencing the case of Adnan al-Bursh, a Palestinian surgeon who died under torture while in Israeli detention.
“Colonial genocide is a formative component of European identity. Hence their eagerness to become complicit in silencing the witnesses and arming the war criminals,” Abu Sitta stated.
Middle East Eye reached out to the French foreign ministry for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. Tayyab Ali, director of the ICJP, reported that Abu Sitta was detained by French authorities and had his phone confiscated while he was speaking to him.
Ali criticized German politicians for prioritizing Israel’s security over free speech and movement rights. He stated, “To shield Israel from criticism, they are denying the rights to speech and movement of a renowned doctor, who experienced first-hand Israel’s attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system.”
The reported French ban comes shortly after Abu Sitta was barred from entering Germany to speak at a medical conference and was deported back to the UK. Since leaving Gaza in late November, Abu Sitta has been actively raising awareness about the impact of Israel’s war, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,500 Palestinians.
During the initial weeks of the assault, Abu Sitta served as the unofficial English-language representative of Palestinian doctors and surgeons treating those injured by Israeli attacks. He accused the Israeli military of using illegal white phosphorus in populated areas like Gaza and deliberately targeting children.
In an interview with MEE, Abu Sitta described the dire conditions in Gaza, where medics were forced to use household items for treatment due to the Israeli blockade on medical supplies. “Eventually, everything was running out. Initially, we replaced the antiseptic solution with washing-up liquid and vinegar,” he recounted.
The ICJP is now working with lawyers in France and Germany to challenge the bans imposed on Abu Sitta and ensure that his right to free speech and witness testimony is upheld. The case highlights the ongoing struggle for Palestinian voices to be heard and the obstacles faced by those seeking to shed light on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.