Why did so few white people attend memorial service for Dr Maysara Al-Rayes?

Image: Palestine Mission Facebook Page

As an academic I felt the least I could do was attend the memorial service of the former Chevening Scholar Dr Maysara Al-Rayes, murdered in Gaza by Israel on 5th November 2023. He won this prestigious British Government prize in 2019 for his excellence as a war trauma specialist. (See the announcement of his death here: www.kcl.ac.uk/news/in-memory-of-dr-maisara-alrayyes ).

I was heartened to hear that Kings College has established a scholarship in his name to run for five years, providing support to four students for each of these years.

I was also heartened that Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot cancelled other appointments to speak eloquently at the event.

I was very disappointed with how few white people came. This photo: (taken by the organisers) shows Husam speaking. You can see me to the left of the portion of the attendees captured. Count how many other white people you can see. Maybe one?

I was as disappointed that no senior representative of Kings College was present. The only staff member evident was the chair of the College branch of the Universities and Colleges Union (which has played a magnificent national role). We heard of the difficulty students and staff had to even get College management to admit that Israel killed him. It was only huge pressure applied over months that finally persuaded College management to recognise him properly. Their absence yesterday shows where their true feelings and loyalties lie.

Another thing I learned was that Maysara's body is still under the rubble. When his two brothers went to try and search for him among the rubble, they were killed by Israel for their pains.

There were several Palestinians from Gaza there, mainly medics, lucky to have got out. The ones I spoke to had family there, and family members who had been killed by Israel since 7 October.

I went away desolate and furious. And my greatest fury is to Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer who have not lifted a finger to stop this. i hunger and thirst for justice for Maysara, his brothers, and all who were unlawfully killed in this unprecedented year-long assault.

John Sloboda (Keele University and Guildhall School of Music & Drama)

LINK

Palestine Mission Facebook post: https://x.com/PalMissionUK/status/1840303688717373596