Palestinian-British surgeon to speak at conference in Ankara on May 27

By Selma Kasap

ANKARA (AA) – Palestinian-British surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sitta will attend a conference in Türkiye on May 27 after being denied entry by France, barring him from addressing the Senate on the situation in Gaza.

His participation at a conference at Ankara Social Sciences University was confirmed by the head of Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education (YOK) Erol Ozvar on Wednesday.

Ozvar, who was attending an event at Duzce University, said he held a phone call with University of Glasgow rector Abu-Sitta and invited him to visit Türkiye.

The phone call came after Abu-Sitta, who has provided medical services at Gaza’s al-Ahli and Shifa hospitals during Israel’s ongoing war, was barred from France due to a one-year European entry ban imposed by Germany.

“I requested him to come to Türkiye and ‘share what you couldn't tell in the French parliament.’ He was very pleased and accepted our invitation. He will give a conference at Ankara Social Sciences University on May 27. He will share his testimonies from Gaza with us.”

* Writing by Seda Sevencan