A British diplomat has resigned in protest against the UK’s involvement in what he describes as “complicity in war crimes” in Gaza, stating that there is “no justification” for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel.
The resignation letter, which criticized the government’s ongoing arms sales to Israel, was reported by media on Friday and was attributed to Mark Smith, a diplomat working at the Foreign Office.
On Sunday, the BBC confirmed that Smith, who worked in counterterrorism, had indeed resigned in opposition to the arms sales.
In his resignation letter, Smith expressed regret over leaving after a long career in the diplomatic service, but stated that he could no longer perform his duties knowing that his department might be complicit in war crimes.
The Foreign Office declined to comment on the specific case but reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding international law.
Smith, who previously worked on assessing arms export licenses for the Middle East, criticized the government, saying that ministers claim the UK has one of the most “robust and transparent” arms export regimes in the world, but this is far from the truth.
He highlighted the daily instances of “clear and unquestionable” war crimes and breaches of International Humanitarian Law by Israel in Gaza.
The letter pointed out that over half of Gaza’s homes and more than 80% of commercial properties have been damaged or destroyed, with humanitarian aid being blocked, and civilians often left with no safe place to flee. Red Crescent ambulances have been attacked, and schools and hospitals are frequently targeted, which he identified as war crimes.
Smith argued that there is “no justification” for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel, yet these sales persist. He mentioned that he had raised these concerns at every level within the organization, including through an official whistleblowing investigation, but received only a “thank you, we have noted your concern” in response.
The resignation email was widely distributed, reaching hundreds of government officials, embassy staff, and special advisers to Foreign Office ministers, according to the BBC.
Smith’s decision was praised by many on social media, including Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, who expressed hope that more diplomats would follow Smith’s courageous example and speak out against those enabling Israel’s actions.
In June, the Department for Business and Trade revealed that the UK had issued 108 arms export licenses to Israel since October 7, when the Gaza conflict began, with over 300 licenses still active as of May.
