British-Palestinian surgeon who reports war crimes in Gaza to the ICC is not allowed to enter the Netherlands

Earlier this year, Abu-Sittah provided evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which launched an investigation into war crimes by Israel. By banning him, the Netherlands can obstruct justice.

Abu-Sittah is Chancellor of the University of Glasgow and an expert in reconstructive surgery for war victims. He was scheduled to speak this week at the University of Amsterdam about his experiences in Gaza and the role of the ICC in the investigation into Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.

He would also participate in an event of The Rights Forum, a knowledge center committed to the rights of Palestinians. He would also have a conversation with two MPs: Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) and Kati Piri (GroenLinks-PvdA).

The Netherlands is following an EU-wide administrative ban, which prohibits Abu-Sittah from conducting activities in EU countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it does not know why the EU has taken this measure. It refers to the German and French authorities, who previously also denied entry to Abu-Sittah.

Abu-Sittah says he is the victim of a political smear campaign by Germany, a key ally of Israel. He says Germany is trying to intimidate and censor him because he witnesses the crimes Israel is committing in Gaza. He says he has provided evidence to the ICC, which wants to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli leaders. He calls on the Netherlands to respect justice and allow him to enter the country.

Abu-Sittah has worked in several hospitals in Gaza during the ongoing Israeli genocide that has been taking place there since October 2023. He has denounced the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip to international media, including NOS. He has seen how Israeli bombings have killed and maimed thousands of civilians, and how the Israeli blockade has hampered medical care.

Abu-Sittah was already denied entry to Germany at the airport in Berlin last month. He would speak at the Palestine Congress there about his experiences in Gaza. The congress was banned by German authorities, who also raided the meeting. The renowned doctor was also refused admission in France last weekend, where he was due to attend a meeting of the French Senate.

Abu-Sittah’s refusal leads to outrage among various organizations and politicians. The Rights Forum says that as host country of the ICC, the Netherlands has a special obligation not to obstruct justice.

MPs Brekelmans and Piri want clarification from outgoing Minister Bruins Slot (Foreign Affairs) about the reason for the refusal. They find it “unheard of” and “astonishing” that the Netherlands refuses access to a respected doctor.