Your current location:HOME >entertainment >Tribute to a terrorist... rector's tears for Palestine extremist at memorial 正文
TIME:2024-06-03 18:13:16 Source: Internet compilationEdit:entertainment
Glasgow University is under growing pressure to censure its new rector after a video emerged showing
Glasgow University is under growing pressure to censure its new rector after a video emerged showing him weeping over the death of a Palestinian terror group leader – whose organisation is accused of participating in the October 7 massacre in Israel.
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British-Palestinian surgeon, was installed in the role after receiving 80 per cent of the student vote.
During a speech delivered to mark his appointment on Thursday, he claimed the institution ‘actively colludes in the murder of innocent civilians’ in Gaza because it has shares in arms companies that supply Israel. He also quoted IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, who said: ‘Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.’
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, left, joined mourners at a memorial service for Palestinian terror group leader, Maher Al-Yamani in Beirut in 2020
Jewish leaders condemned the 55-year-old’s instalment and said he ‘seeks to make the university a less safe place to be Jewish’.
Now, shocking footage shows the doctor speaking at an anniversary ceremony of the death of Maher Al-Yamani, a co-founder of the proscribed Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
The Marxist-Leninist organisation, banned in the UK since 2014, has carried out a number of aircraft hijackings, including the capture of an Air France plane in 1976.
Israel has accused it of taking part in the deadly Hamas-led attacks on October 7. The video of Dr Abu-Sittah – obtained by the Jewish Chronicle newspaper – shows him deliver a tearful speech in Beirut in 2020 in remembrance of Al-Yamani, who he praised for his ‘campaign’ in the West Bank and for continuing to scare the enemy – Israel – from the grave.
Maher al-Yamani
Dr Abu-Sittah was installed on Thursday
Last night Conservative MSP for Glasgow Annie Wells said: ‘I am deeply concerned with the language used by the new Glasgow University rector. Many people will rightfully be outraged at his glorification of convicted terrorists and eulogy of an antisemitic terrorist leader.’
She added: ‘Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah should apologise for his deeply offensive comments.’
Al-Yamani was born in Lebanon in 1949 and had been a member of the PFLP since it was started in 1967. He is said to have helped plan the 1968 hijacking of an Israeli El Al plane, for which he was initially sentenced to 31 years in prison.
The film comes after Dr Abu-Sittah had already been pictured sitting next to plane hijacker and member of the PFLP, Leila Khaled, at a memorial service in 2019. Khaled blew up a passenger jet on the runway in 1969.
Hamas’s attack Israel on October 7 last year
The exposure of the doctor’s concerning links comes as he ran his campaign to become Glasgow University rector as an ‘opportunity for students to declare their opposition to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza’ and to ‘stand in solidarity with Palestine’.
Dorothy Sheratt, co-president of Glasgow’s Jewish Society, has previously said: ‘Someone who eulogises proscribed terrorists – as defined in the US and EU – cannot lead the university or fulfil the rector’s obligation to provide pastoral care to all students, equally.’
Timothy Lovat, president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, said: ‘Students have endorsed someone who claims to understand antisemitism better than the Jewish community and seeks to make the university a less safe place to be Jewish.’
Last night a university spokesman said Dr Abu-Sittah had been elected by students, adding: ‘The rector’s views clearly do not represent those of the university.’
Dr Abu-Sittah said: ‘While I may in the past have used emotive language at the funeral of a friend or following an extra-judicial killing, 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.’
His lawyers said Dr Abu-Sittah knew Maher Al-Yamani as a patient and later a friend. He was asked to speak at the memorial on Al-Yamani’s widow’s request. He said he was not aware Al-Yamani was accused of involvement in terror. He had no political affiliation with Al-Yamani or the PFLP, they said.
Reality star Ashley Cain reveals physical agony of his 3,0002024-06-03 18:09
Kelly Clarkson calls dating 'awkward' and admits it makes her 'so nervous'2024-06-03 18:04
French president is considering imposing a state of emergency in the territory of New Caledonia2024-06-03 18:02
New US tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, batteries and solar cells could raise consumer prices2024-06-03 18:02
Nelson Mandela's ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses its 302024-06-03 17:55
A new South Africa health law aims at deep inequality, but critics say they'll challenge it2024-06-03 17:24
CEO of Brazil’s oil and gas giant Petrobras steps down following dustup over dividends2024-06-03 16:55
Pakistan test2024-06-03 16:50
German police officer dies of wounds suffered in knife attack2024-06-03 16:24
Kelly Clarkson forgets lyrics to song and suffers wardrobe malfunction during show2024-06-03 16:03
Give free passports to Britain's heroes: On the eve of D2024-06-03 18:11
German court convicts a man of murder over a fatal stabbing on a train last year2024-06-03 17:58
From acting to the squared circle, Emmy winner Hauser is ready to rumble for Major League Wrestling2024-06-03 17:37
Lizzo thanks anti2024-06-03 17:26
State work2024-06-03 16:21
Lisa Armstrong escapes to Portugal just 24 hours after being left 'deeply sad' by ex2024-06-03 16:16
Kelly Clarkson calls dating 'awkward' and admits it makes her 'so nervous'2024-06-03 16:15
Tom Holland finally makes his long2024-06-03 16:10
Salma Hayek, 57, cuts a stylish figure in a khaki jacket as she enjoys a late2024-06-03 15:53
Julia Fox makes VERY risque joke about her two2024-06-03 15:29