Now Glasgow Uni’s new rector brands the UK part of an ‘axis of genocide’
THE new rector of Glasgow university claimed the UK is part of an ‘axis of genocide’ in a speech marking his appointment, the Mail can reveal.
Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British-Palestinian medic, was elected with 80 per cent of the student vote.
The surgeon sparked fury after claiming last week the university ‘colludes in the murder of innocent civilians’ because it has shares in arms firms that supply Israel.
He also quoted ‘immortal [IRA hunger striker] Bobby Sands’. Now it has emerged Dr Abu-Sittah, 55, used the same speech, published in full online at the weekend, to condemn the UK for its role in an ‘axis of genocide’ in Gaza.
We can also reveal the university authorities looked at concerns about him before he was elected but found there was no reason to prevent him from standing.
Jewish campaigners had highlighted a video which showed him weeping over the death of Maher
Al-Yamani, a co-founder of the proscribed Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is accused of participating in the october 7 massacre in Israel.
In an email to the campaigners on March 28, principal Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli said the university was bound by regulations which limited the actions it could take.
Tory MSP 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 anti-Semitic terrorist leader.’
In his speech, Dr Abu-Sittah said the ‘genocidal project is like an iceberg of which Israel is only the tip.
‘The rest of the iceberg is made up of an axis of genocide. This axis of genocide is the united States, the united Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and France… countries that have supported Israel with arms and continue to support the genocide with arms.’
In response to the claims against him, Dr Abu-Sittah insisted he ‘vehemently opposes terrorism’.
‘Genocidal project is like an iceberg’