UK arms Gaza: Diplomat Quits Over Civil Service Silence

UK arms Gaza: Former diplomat Mark Smith reveals civil servants are silenced over UK arms sales to Israel amid Gaza crisis. London, London, United Kingdom – Mark Smith, a former UK diplomat, resigned from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in August 2024. He quit because the UK continued arms sales to Israel despite the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Smith warns that civil servants who raise concerns often face pressure to stay silent.

UK Arms Exports Under Scrutiny

Smith, a policy adviser, explained that officials discouraged him from reporting civilian casualties. “They told me to make reports look less severe,” he said. Furthermore, he noted that critical conversations in the Foreign Office often remain undocumented, preventing public or legal scrutiny.

Additionally, Smith revealed that sensitive discussions were usually held verbally to avoid creating a paper trail. “It was fully understood that these talks should happen in person, not in writing,” he said.

Pressure on Civil Servants

Senior staff often pressured employees to align reports with the government’s position. For example, Smith said, “Any suggestion of legal violations caused panic and extreme pressure.” He described the office culture as “very different from anything I’ve experienced in the civil service.”

Despite raising his concerns repeatedly, Smith received only brief acknowledgments. “I was told, ‘thank you, we have noted your concerns,’” he recalled.

Calls for Accountability

Smith testified via videolink to the unofficial Gaza tribunal, chaired by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He highlighted what he saw as UK complicity in Israeli war crimes.

Moreover, Fran Heathcote, head of the Public and Commercial Services Union, stated that civil servants fear they are asked to participate in actions that could contribute to genocide. She criticized the government for ignoring both civil service codes and international legal obligations.

UK Government Response

A month after Smith’s resignation, Foreign Secretary David Lammy revoked some arms export licenses. He cited the risk that the exports could violate international humanitarian law. However, activists argue that these measures remain insufficient. They demand a complete halt to UK components used in Israeli F-35 jets.

For instance, Rami Khayal from the Palestinian Youth Movement said, “These parts ultimately end up in Israeli F-35s, prolonging the conflict and civilian suffering.”

The Need for Transparency

Smith’s resignation highlights the immense pressure civil servants face when challenging controversial policies. Therefore, experts call for greater transparency and accountability in arms exports. Doing so could prevent civilian harm and ensure compliance with international law.