A British diplomat has resigned from the Foreign Office as he believes the department “may be complicit in war crimes” for continuing to allow arms sales to Israel.
Mark Smith, listed as a second secretary in the British embassy in Ireland, wrote in a resignation letter to colleagues that was posted online that members of the Israeli government and military have expressed “open genocidal intent”.
Mr Smith also said that it was “deeply troubling” that the department had “disregarded” his concerns on the illegality of continued arms sales.
In a letter to colleagues, he wrote: “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.”
Mr Smith said he is a former penholder on the arms export licensing assessment in the Middle East and North African Department, experience he said makes him a “subject matter expert” on arms sales policy.
He said: “Each day we witness clear and unquestionable examples of war crimes and breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza perpetuated 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.”
He added: “There is no justification for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel and yet somehow it continues. I have raised this at every level in the organisation including through an official whistle blowing investigation and received nothing more than ‘thank you we have noted your concern’.
“Ministers claim the UK has one of the most ‘robust and transparent’ arms export licensing regimes in the world, however this is the opposite of the truth.”
He concluded the letter: “I hope that we can look back on history and be proud.”