BRITISH-PALESTINIAN surgeon Professor Ghassan Abu Sittah has been welcomed as University of Glasgow’s new rector after his “historic” election.

Returning from his native Gaza, where he worked for 40 days at the al-Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals treating people wounded in the Israeli military onslaught, Prof Abu Sittah was elected to the post at his alma mater with an overwhelming 80 per cent of the vote.

The university’s rector is elected by students every three years to represent them and raise issues on their behalf.

Prof Abu Sittah said: “I aim to be the voice of students, to give them an opportunity to express their utter disapproval of the genocide being committed in Gaza.

“I will echo the demands on campus calling for divestment from the arms trade.”

Glasgow University Palestine Society president Beesan Shroof said: “It shows exactly where Glasgow students stand — and we do not stand for genocide.

“It is time that senior management listen to the voices of their students calling for divestment from arms companies responsible for the killing of thousands of civilians.”

Stop the War Scotland officer Coll McCail, who is also a Glasgow University student, added: “This is a historic moment and a loud message that shows the university what students want — an end to complicity.”