The UK government has come under fire for its refusal to condemn the targeted murder of Dr. Maisara Alrayyes, a Palestinian alumnus of the prestigious Chevening scholarship, by Israeli forces. Shockingly, London has also instructed media outlets to remain silent about its direct involvement in the ongoing Gaza slaughter.
Since the start of Israel’s military assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, the British government has maintained a disturbing silence on the horrifying violence inflicted on innocent Palestinian civilians. However, one tragic incident stands out among the atrocities. On November 8th, the Foreign Office confirmed the death of Dr. Maisara Alrayyes, a Palestinian alumnus of the Chevening scholarship scheme, raising significant concerns and drawing widespread condemnation.
Friends and colleagues of Alrayyes, including his closest friend Bahzad Al-Akhras, have expressed their outrage at the targeted killing of the scholar and his family by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). They have accused the IDF of perpetrating a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, with Alrayyes becoming one of its victims. The British government, which sponsored Alrayyes’ scholarship, has failed to provide any explanation for his death.
Even King’s College, where Alrayyes studied Women and Children’s Health, acknowledged the tragic loss, stating that he and his family were “killed” but refrained from naming the perpetrator. The college highlighted Alrayyes’ significant contributions to healthcare research, emphasizing his dedication to improving the lives of women and children in war-affected regions.
Further revelations from Alrayyes’ colleagues have shed light on the horrifying circumstances of his murder. They revealed that he and his family were victims of Israeli airstrikes and spent 30 harrowing hours trapped under rubble before losing their lives. In the days leading up to their deaths, Alrayyes had expressed his fear and anxiety to his former classmates, foreseeing his own demise.
The British government’s sponsorship of the Chevening Scholarship, a symbol of its soft power, is now under intense scrutiny. Over 15 Chevening graduates have ascended to become heads of state, making it a vital tool for promoting British interests abroad. Alrayyes’ example, as a Chevening scholar who met his fiancée while studying in the UK, had been hailed by London as a success story. In fact, he was granted a meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Jerusalem, showcasing the government’s support for his achievements.
However, when the brutal bombardment of Gaza began, the British government failed to provide Alrayyes with any form of protection. Instead, Cleverly repeatedly dismissed calls for a ceasefire and staunchly supported Israel’s “right to defend” itself, effectively endorsing its devastating assault. This has raised questions about the UK government’s complicity in the Gaza slaughter.
Disturbing evidence suggests that the British government may be directly implicated in the violence. Analysis by Declassified UK reveals that numerous military transport flights have been traveling from Britain’s airbase in Cyprus to Tel Aviv since October 7th. These flights, which occurred prior to the attack on Gaza, have raised suspicions about the nature of the cargo and the government’s possible involvement. Additionally, the Defence and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Committee has imposed censorship on British news outlets, preventing them from reporting on British special forces deployed in the Middle East.
Critics argue that the British Foreign Office’s handling of Alrayyes’ death has caused outrage among its own staff, who were already disillusioned with the government’s refusal to acknowledge the escalating civilian death toll in Gaza. While sympathy for the Palestinians once existed within the department, a shift towards supporting Zionism has been evident. British politicians who advocate for Palestinian rights have been targeted by the influential “Friends of Israel” groups within both Labour and the Conservative parties. These groups, operating covertly in conjunction with the Israeli embassy, have actively sought to discredit and undermine politicians critical of Israel.
The plight of Alrayyes’ family further exposes the brutality of the Israeli military. His two brothers were also murdered by Israeli forces as they attempted to retrieve his body from the rubble of their home. This tragic incident, which occurred after the initial attack, highlights the ongoing violence and disregard for human life in Gaza.
Despite these shocking revelations, the British Foreign Office has remained silent on Israel’s targeted killing of Alrayyes’ family. Meanwhile, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak continues to reject calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, further fueling the bloodshed and suffering of innocent civilians.
