Middle East Eye has confirmed that a British civil servant has resigned from the Foreign Office over concerns that the government is complicit in Israeli war crimes in Gaza. The civil servant, who did not issue a public statement, had been identified as diplomat Mark Smith by journalist Hind Hassan. She posted the text of his resignation letter on Aug. 16. “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,” the letter reportedly says.
The letter continues by saying its author was involved in the arms exports licensing assessment process in the Middle East and North African Department and therefore “a subject matter expert in the domain of armed sales policy.”
“There is no justification for the U.K.’s continued arms sales to Israel yet somehow it continues,” the letter says. “I have raised this at every level in the organization, including through an official whistle blowing investigation and received nothing more than ‘thank you we have noted your concern.’” The writer says being disregarded in this way “is deeply troubling. It is my duty as a public servant to raise this.” It concludes with a call to officials “to join the many colleagues who have also raised concerns over this issue.”
