A British diplomat has reportedly resigned over the UK authorities’s arms sale to Israel.
In a letter titled “FCDO complicity in Warfare Crimes”, Mark Smith mentioned “there’s no justification for the UK’s continued arms gross sales to Israel”.
Based on Hind Hassan, the journalist who first reported the story, Smith was based mostly on the British Embassy in Dublin and indicators off because the second secretary counter-terrorism.
The letter, shared by Hassan on X, reads: “I write to you on my final day within the FCDO with a message I by no means wished to ship.
“It’s with unhappiness that I resign after a protracted profession within the diplomatic service, nevertheless, I can now not perform my duties within the data that this Division could also be complicit in conflict crimes.”
Smith added that he’s a former penholder on the arms exports licensing evaluation within the Center East and North Africa division.
He claimed every day, it’s clear there are “unquestionable examples of conflict crimes and breaches of worldwide humanitarian legislation in Gaza perpetrated by the State of Israel”.
He mentioned that the assault on Pink Crescent ambulances, blocking of humanitarian support and the destruction of Gaza’s properties all quantity to conflict crimes.
Smith added: “There isn’t any justification for the UK’s continued arms gross sales to Israel but someway it continues.
“I’ve raised this at each stage within the organisation together with by means of an official whistle blowing investigation and obtained nothing greater than ‘thanks we have now famous your issues’.”
He mentioned it was the “reverse of the reality” that the UK has one of the crucial “strong and clear” arms export licensing regimes on the planet, as ministers typically declare.
He mentioned: “I urge you as officers of fine conscience to affix the numerous colleagues who’ve additionally raised issues over this challenge.
“The FCDO has a number of the most sensible, hard-working and good-hearted folks I’ve ever identified and I’ve been proud to work alongside you.
“I hope that we will look again on historical past and be proud.”
The FCDO advised HuffPost UK: “This authorities is dedicated to upholding worldwide legislation. We’ve got made clear that we are going to not export gadgets in the event that they may be used to commit or facilitate a critical violations of Worldwide Humanitarian Regulation.
“There’s an ongoing evaluate course of to evaluate whether or not Israel is complying with Worldwide Humanitarian Regulation, which the international secretary initiated on day one in workplace. We’ll present an replace as quickly as that evaluate course of has been accomplished.”
The division doesn’t touch upon particular person circumstances.
Smith’s resignation attracted some consideration on-line.
The UN particular rapporteur on the scenario of human rights within the Palestinian territories.
Francesca Albanese mentioned: “I hope that extra diplomats will comply with the courageous lead of Mark Smith and converse up towards the enablers of Israel’s atrocities.”
The Public Business Providers Union, PCS, which represents UK civil servants, additionally known as for a gathering with the Cupboard Workplace over the conflict in Gaza and what it means for presidency workers.
In the meantime, international secretary David Lammy has warned of a “full-scale regional conflict” within the Center East amid fears Iran may hit out at Israel and ongoing efforts to create a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.