Current location:opinions >>
Anger as new Rector claims Glasgow University 'colludes in murder of innocents'
opinions48People have gathered around
IntroductionThe new rector of Glasgow University has sparked fury after claiming that the institution ‘actively ...
The new rector of Glasgow University has sparked fury after claiming that the institution ‘actively colludes in the murder of innocent civilians’.
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British-Palestinian surgeon, won a landslide election for the post, attracting 80 per cent of the student vote.
The medic used heavily disputed statistics to claim that Israel is responsible for the deaths of 53,000 Palestinians – and in a speech to mark his appointment as rector he quoted IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands who said: ‘Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.’
During his campaign, Dr Abu-Sittah vowed to change the definition on campus of anti-Semitism, which he said undermined freedom of speech and intellectual thought – a promise that has provoked alarm among Jewish representatives.
It comes as Dr Abu-Sittah revealed on social media that yesterday he had been ‘forcibly prevented’ from entering Germany to speak about his work in Gaza hospitals – and claimed he was a ‘witness to genocide’ and an ‘ongoing massacre’.
Dr Ghassan Abu- Sittah during his rectorial address
Timothy Lovat, president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, said: ‘Students have endorsed someone who claims to understand anti-Semitism better than the Jewish community and seeks to make the university a less safe place to be Jewish.
‘If the university is committed to being an open and safe environment for all, and a place of open and free exchange of ideas, that must cause it as much concern as it does the Jewish community, and we therefore trust that they will fully investigate these charges and take such action as they are able, to mitigate the damage to the welfare of their students as well as to their own reputation.’
Dr Abu-Sittah, 55, who was officially installed as rector on Thursday, tweeted yesterday on X: ‘University of Glasgow owns £4.5million in shares in arms companies: BAE Systems, Thales, Leonardo and QinetiQ.
‘They supply the arms used by Israeli military to murder 53,000 Palestinians (14,000 children).
‘The University of Glasgow actively colludes in the murder of innocent civilians.’
Dr Abu-Sittah will serve as rector of Glasgow University for three years
Last night Caroline Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel, claimed Dr Abu-Sittah had ‘inflated the statistics produced by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which themselves appear to be fabricated according to several analyses by expert statisticians’.
She said he ‘is a totally unsuitable person to be rector of the university and to represent all students’.
Dr Abu-Sittah was contacted for comment. He has in the past said he opposes terrorism and anti-Semitism. He will serve as rector for three years.
Glasgow University said it was the first higher education institution to call for the immediate release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire.
A spokesman said: ‘The rector’s views do not represent those of the university.’
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Illustrations news portal”。http://finland.havadist.com/html-42d599940.html
Related articles
1 dead, 7 missing after 2 Japan MSDF helicopters crash near Izu Islands
opinionsOne death has been confirmed after two patrol helicopters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ( ...
【opinions】
Read moreHKFP Lens: Hong Kong photographers document their last moments in the city
opinionsNon-profit art organisation Lumenvisum is hosting an exhibition titled “Leaving on a Jet Plane ...
【opinions】
Read moreHong Kong launches nightlife campaign to boost 'night
opinionsHong Kong has launched a nightlife campaign to “boost its night-time economy”, financial ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Parents of Michigan high school shooter sentenced 10
- Artificial intelligence found to be 'superior to biological intelligence'
- VOX POPULI: The power of old photos and a deficit
- Man almost loses leg to sepsis after cut to back of head with barber’s clippers
- In Paris, students inspired by pro
- Cheng Lei China: Jailed Australian TV anchor jailed releases rare message
Latest articles
British and Irish officials meet as tensions rise over what to do with asylum seekers
Shortland Street: Fate of much
Chinese hackers breached US ambassador to China's email account
China news: July exports tumble by double digits, adding to pressure to shore up flagging economy
GOP lawmakers in Kansas are moving to override the veto of a ban on gender care for minors
Woman charged over Auckland hit
LINKS
- Verstappen takes pole for Chinese GP to extend F1 dominance. Hamilton 18th
- Elly De La Cruz slugs 3
- Explainer: Why foreign leaders prefer other Chinese cities over Beijing as first stop of China trip?
- Letter from China: Exploring the hustle and bustle of south China's border ports
- Jersey Shore: Family Vacation: Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola and ex
- Justin Verlander allows 2 runs over 6 innings in season debut for Astros in 5
- EU presents first
- Emily DiDonato shows off the results of her 25
- Paul Hollywood 'strikes six
- Italy approves participation in EU naval mission in Red Sea