The news was previously announced in a message on X by the human rights organization The Rights Forum, which was founded at the initiative of former Prime Minister Dries van Agt.
Abu-Sittah witnessed an “unfolding massacre” while working as a surgeon in Gaza’s al-Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals. He also stated that Israel has used the chemical weapon white phosphorus, which would be a violation of international laws of war.
The doctor himself was in Gaza in October and November, where he became an international representative of doctors active in Gaza. Abu-Sittah says he has provided evidence of his claims to Scotland Yard and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Last weekend, France also refused Abu-Sittah entry into the country. Paris also referred to Germany’s decision. The surgeon then told the British newspaper that he was not aware that German authorities had imposed an administrative visa ban on him for one year. This measure means that he will not be allowed to enter any Schengen country for the coming year.
‘Germany prevents testimony about war’
In The Guardian, Abu-Sittah himself says that Germany wants to prevent him from giving testimony at the International Criminal Court in The Hague about his experiences in Gaza with the Schengen ban. Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies and also supplies weapons to that country.
According to The Rights Forum, Abu-Sittah would be in the Netherlands next week. He would, among other things, meet with members of the House of Representatives, speak at the University of Amsterdam and attend an event of The Rights Forum in Amsterdam.
Director Gerard Jonkman of The Rights Forum calls it ‘shocking and, in our opinion, completely unacceptable’ that Abu-Sittah is not allowed to enter the Netherlands. “The decision completely goes against basic freedoms such as freedom of expression.”
According to the organization, Abu-Sittah would speak in Pakhuis de Zwijger about, among other things, ‘the suppression of apparently unwelcome voices in Germany and France’. That event will go ahead next Friday.
Unheard of and amazing
The political parties GroenLinks-PvdA and D66 are not happy with the measure. They demand an explanation from outgoing Minister Hanke Bruins Slot (Foreign Affairs) about the access ban.
Kati Piri calls it ‘unheard of’ that he has been denied entry to the Netherlands. Jan Paternotte (D66) finds it ‘amazing’ that the Netherlands refuses him access without his own consideration.
Tags: Netherlands refuses access PalestinianBritish doctor due German ban
