UK medical regulator to appeal decision clearing Palestinian surgeon of misconduct

The UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) has informed the lawyers of the prominent Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sittah that it intends to appeal against a tribunal ruling that cleared him of misconduct after complaints from British pro-Israel activists. 

Late on Thursday, Abu Sittah confirmed that the British medical regulator had told his legal team it planned to challenge the decision made by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) last month at the High Court.

In a statement, released via the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), Abu Sittah accused the GMC of acting under political pressure.

“Under its current leadership, the GMC has been weaponised as a tool of political repression in the service of Israel’s genocidal project,” he said.

“This will be the third legal action the GMC has brought against me, and I’m quite certain it is the result of political pressure from this Labour government.”

Last month, the MPTS ruled there was no basis for a finding of misconduct, dismissing allegations that Abu Sittah’s public statements had impaired his fitness to practise.

The GMC’s move comes despite comments by its own chief executive indicating that the regulator is due to lose its right to appeal against MPTS decisions later this year.

Mental and financial strain

Abu Sittah, a reconstructive plastic surgery consultant and Palestinian rights advocate, was first investigated after a complaint submitted by pro-Israel group UK Lawyers for Israel.

The complaint centred on an article he wrote for Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar and two social media reposts, which the group claimed affected his professional standing.

The article referred to the "martyrdom" of alleged Hamas member Ahmad Nasr Jarrar, and stated that "the people have no weapon left but revolutionary violence".

An Interim Orders Tribunal ruled in August 2024 that there was no evidence that patient safety was at risk.

Further complaints followed, and in April 2025 the GMC referred the matter to a Fitness to Practise Tribunal. That process ultimately concluded last month with the MPTS clearing Abu Sittah of any wrongdoing.

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The ICJP, where Abu Sittah is a board member, said the renewed appeal marked the latest stage in what it described as a prolonged campaign aimed at stripping him of his medical licence.

The organisation said the proceedings had placed significant mental and financial strain on the surgeon, who was also required to travel to the UK for hearings while continuing clinical work in Lebanon, treating patients injured in Israel’s war on Gaza.

Abu Sittah has volunteered in Gaza multiple times, including during Israel’s bombardment in late 2023.

He entered the enclave on 9 October 2023 to work with Doctors Without Borders and spent 43 days treating patients at al-Ahli, al-Shifa and al-Awda hospitals.

In the initial weeks after Israel began its assault, Abu Sittah was the unofficial English-language representative of Palestinian doctors and surgeons treating Palestinians wounded by Israeli attacks.

He accused the Israeli military of using white phosphorus, which is illegal in built-up and populated areas such as Gaza, and deliberately targeting children.

Upon his return, he addressed a press conference hosted by the ICJP, where he detailed what he said were war crimes he witnessed. He was later elected rector of Glasgow University, his alma mater.

Middle East Eye has contacted the GMC for comment.