A SENIOR diplomat working at the Foreign Office has resigned after claiming that the department “may be complicit in war crimes” over the continued sale of arms to Israel.
Mark Smith, a diplomat at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), resigned from his post on Friday, raising concerns about the UK’s complicity in Israel’s war in Gaza, which has so far killed more than 40,000 Palestinians.
“It is with sadness that I resign after a long career in the diplomatic service, however I can no longer carry out my duties in the knowledge that this department may be complicit in war crimes,” Smith wrote.
He added that he was “a subject matter expert in the domain of armed sales policy”, having formerly worked on the arms exports licensing assessment in the Middle East and North Africa Department (MENAD).
Smith said: “Each day we witness clear and unquestionable examples of war crimes and breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza perpetrated by the State of Israel.
“Senior members of the Israeli government and military have expressed open genocidal intent, Israeli soldiers take videos, deliberately burning destroying, and looting civilian property and openly admit to the rape and torture of prisoners.
“Over half of Gaza’s homes and over 80% of commercial properties have been damaged or destroyed.
“Whole streets and universities have been demolished, humanitarian aid is being blocked and civilians are regularly left with no safe quarter to flee to.
“Red Crescent ambulances have been attacked, schools and hospitals are regularly targeted. These are war crimes.”
Smith added that there is “no justification” for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel.
It comes as the UK Government has reportedly put off a decision on suspending arms sales to Israel, whilst officials investigate exactly which exported weaponry could have been used and where in Israel.
Smith said he had raised his concerns at every level in the department, including through an official whistle blowing investigation, but “received nothing more than ‘thank you we have noted your concerns’”.
He added that ministers’ claims that the UK has one of the most “robust and transparent” arms export licensing regimes in the world were “the opposite of the truth”.
“As a fully cleared officer raising serious concerns of illegality in this department, to be disregarded in this way is deeply troubling," Smith said.
“It is my duty as a public servant to raise this.”
Commenting on the resignation, Dr Ian Overton, executive director of Action on Armed Violence, said: “Mark Smith’s resignation is a profound indictment of the UK’s arms export policies.
“It takes immense courage to stand up against a system complicit in the suffering of civilians, and his actions should prompt a serious reevaluation of the ethical responsibilities that come with arms trading.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from pro-Palestine campaign Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee said: “An admirable resignation letter and damning indictment of the UK Government over its arms sales to Israel, complicity in war crimes and enabling of the genocide.
“A shining example of how others can follow him and be on the right side of history.”
A spokesperson for the FCDO said: "This government is committed to upholding international law. We have made clear that we will not export items if they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violations of international humanitarian law.
"There is an ongoing review process to assess whether Israel is complying with international humanitarian law, which the Foreign Secretary initiated on day one in office.
"We will provide an update as soon as that review process has been completed."
The spokesperson said the FCDO would not comment on individual cases.
