Dr. Issam Hijjawi Bassalat: An ophthalmologist from Palestine who has lived in Edinburgh since 2010, having moved to the UK in 1995 to work as a GP. Over and above his decades of medical service, Dr Bassalat is also well-known for his advocacy work in support of Palestinian human rights across Europe and beyond. Throughout his time as activist, Dr Bassalat maintained an impeccable track record of commitment to non-violent campaigning for freedom and just peace for the Palestinian people.
On 22 August 2020, at the age of 68, he was dramatically arrested by British counter-terrorism police under Operation Arbacia while attending a commemoration event in Northern Ireland. He became one of the “Newry Ten,” a group accused of attending an alleged meeting of a proscribed organisation. Dr. Hijjawi spent over two years in solitary confinement on remand in Maghaberry Prison under harsh “separated” conditions normally reserved for paramilitary prisoners. In September 2023, after a high-profile non-jury trial, all charges against him were dropped when it emerged that the key prosecution evidence had been obtained by MI5 through an agent provocateur, leading to a stay of proceedings on grounds of entrapment and abuse of process.
Dr. Issam Hijjawi Bassalat remains a respected figure in Palestinian and Irish republican solidarity networks. He continues to speak at events, write occasional articles, and advocate for Palestinian political prisoners and the right of return.