Dr Maisara Al Rayyes and fiance, Laura
Dr Maisara Al Rayyes and fiance, Laura
Dr Maisara Al Rayyes and fiance, Laura
Dr Maisara Al Rayyes and fiance, Laura

Anger at Foreign Office over report of Palestinian scholar's death


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
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A Palestinian former recipient of a prestigious Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office scholarship programme has reportedly been killed in Gaza, sparking backlash over the department’s announcement of his death.

According to a statement by King’s College London, where Dr Maisara Al Rayyes studied, he was killed in Gaza alongside members of his family.

The FCDO’s Chevening Awards programme offers scholarships and fellowships to study in the UK and Dr Al Rayyes was a past winner.

“We are devastated to learn about the death of Chevening alumnus Dr Maisara Al Rayyes and members of his family," the programme posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“We send our deepest condolences to his surviving family. Our thoughts and the thoughts of the Chevening alumni community are with you.”

Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, was among those condemning the Foreign Office statement, which did not give details about how or where Dr Al Rayyes died.

“Palestinians do not just die. Israel bombed the home of my friend, Chevening alumnus Maisara Al Rayyes, killing him and his family," Mr Zomlot said, calling the statement unacceptable.

“Palestinians are killed. And not just in last month but over 75 years of oppression, ethnic cleansing, occupation and murder.

“Enough of playing with words to avoid holding the perpetrators of mass murder and crimes against humanity to account.”

A statement from what appears to be the Chevening community “around the world” also formed part of the backlash against the government department’s announcement.

It said community members “vehemently condemn” the killing of Dr Al Rayyes and his family members.

It added that the statement was written “to unequivocally reject the callousness displayed by the Chevening FCDO in offering condolences for Maisara’s death as if it were a mere commonplace demise, in a blatant attempt to absolve Israel of its heinous war crimes and the massacre of innocent civilians is both infuriating and heart-wrenching”.

Dr Al Rayyes was pictured with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly after what the British consulate in Jerusalem called an exchange on the “challenges and aspirations of young Palestinians” in September.

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The university said in a statement that it learnt of Dr Al Rayyes’ death with “great sadness”.

He joined the university in 2019 when he was awarded the Chevening Scholarship, undertaking an master's of science in women's and children’s health.

“During his time at King’s, his work was published in a number of high-profile journals, including the Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine," the university said.

"And he was well respected and known among his colleagues for his dedication to improving health care for women and children in low-income and war-affected regions."

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Total eligible population

About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not

Where are the unvaccinated?

England 11%
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  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

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How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

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Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

While you're here
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Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Updated: November 10, 2023, 3:40 AM`