London: The UK government has given “nothing but empty apologies” over Israel’s killing of a British aid worker in Gaza, the BBC reported his family as saying.
James Kirby, 47, was killed last April along with six other World Central Kitchen aid workers in an Israeli drone attack.
They were traveling in a convoy of marked vehicles, with the Israeli military having prior knowledge of their planned route. Three Britons, including Kirby, were killed in the attack.
The matter was raised in Parliament on Tuesday as MP Hamish Falconer told colleagues that he had met the victims’ families in November last year together with the foreign secretary.
Israel must “quickly and thoroughly conclude” its investigation into the attack, Falconer said, describing it as an “appalling tragedy,” and adding that the victims’ families “are determined to see justice.”
Yet the “lack of justice and accountability” has been as “equally devastating” as Kirby’s death, his cousin Louise Kirby said.
His family have been “met with silence” from the government “despite repeated calls for answers” over the killings, she added.
“It is disheartening to note that after all this time, we still have no concrete proof of accountability from any responsible party,” she said.
“The government’s response has been nothing but empty apologies, which are, and will never be, sufficient.”
The family thanked the Muslim community in Bristol for their “ongoing solidarity” and supporting them in “our quest for justice.” They also received letters of condolence from the king and queen, who they thanked.
A lack of British investigation into the drone attack has left the family “deeply concerned that breach of policy or laws” might have taken place, Louise Kirby said.
“We want justice for James and the truth to be known, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable that may be.”
Israel’s attack also killed Britons John Chapman, 57, and James Henderson, 33. Four others were killed: Australian Lalzawmi Frankcom, 43, American-Canadian Jacob Flickinger, 33, Polish national Damian Sobol, 35, and Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25.
The Israeli Embassy in the UK last year attributed the attack to a “serious failure” that was “made due to mistaken identification.”
The Israel Defense Forces dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others over the attack.
