German court overturns speech ban on British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta

A German court ruled today, Tuesday, that the ban preventing British-Palestinian surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta from speaking in Germany was unlawful.

The Administrative Court of Berlin found that authorities had no legal grounds to impose the prohibition.

Dr. Abu Sitta, who gained international prominence for his work in Gaza hospitals following the escalation of the genocide in October 2023, had been denied entry to Germany in April 2024 when he attempted to attend the Palestine Congress in Berlin.

Authorities had alleged that he sympathized with Hamas and posed a risk of committing a criminal offense or endangering Germany's democratic order.

However, the Berlin Administrative Court's decision stated there was no reasonable expectation that Dr. Abu Sitta's statements would constitute a criminal offense or threaten public safety. The court found no statements by Abu Sitta since October 7, 2023, that were of a criminal nature or indicated support for terrorist organizations.

The ruling also highlighted Dr. Abu Sitta's status as a historical eyewitness whose testimony has been heard by the International Criminal Court, emphasizing that this should have been considered by German authorities alongside his right to freedom of expression.

His legal team had argued that he did not endorse the October 7 events and that his criticism of 'Israeli' actions was protected free speech.