A senior British diplomat has resigned in protest over the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel, claiming that the government’s actions are complicit in war crimes being committed in Gaza.

Mark Smith, who served at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced his decision in a resignation letter that has brought renewed scrutiny to the UK’s foreign policy.

Smith detailed his growing discomfort with the UK’s arms export practices. In his resignation letter, Smith argued that the government’s claims of maintaining one of the most “robust and transparent” arms export licensing regimes in the world are misleading. He stated that his concerns over potential breaches of international humanitarian law had been dismissed by the department, leaving him with no choice but to step down.

“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,” Smith wrote. He further described the ongoing violence in Gaza as clear and unquestionable examples of war crimes, accusing Israel of committing acts that violate international humanitarian law.

Smith’s resignation has sparked significant attention within the FCDO and beyond, with many questioning the ethical implications of the UK’s involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His decision follows a series of internal efforts to address these issues, which, according to Smith, were met with indifference or outright dismissal.

The resignation letter was posted on X (Twitter) by Hind Hassan (@HindHassanNews), a journalist who has worked with VICE News, Aljazeera and Sky News.

She followed it up with this Tweet:

Dr. Iain Overton, Executive Director of Action on Armed Violence, commented on Smith’s resignation, saying, “Mark Smith’s resignation is a profound indictment of the UK’s arms export policies. It takes immense courage to stand up against a system complicit in the suffering of civilians, and his actions should prompt a serious reevaluation of the ethical responsibilities that come with arms trading.”

The FCDO told AOAV: ““This government is committed to upholding international law. We have made clear that we will not export items if they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.

“There is an ongoing review process to assess whether Israel is complying with International Humanitarian Law, which the Foreign Secretary initiated on day one in office. We will provide an update as soon as that review process has been completed.”

It is understood that the FCDO has processes in place for staff to raise individual concerns, including if they have a particular policy concern. They have a number of sources of support for staff to receive advice, guidance and/or pastoral/counselling support. These include dedicated internal teams for staff serving in the UK and Overseas, Staff Counsellors, the Employee Assistance Programme and extensive wellbeing resources.

Smith’s departure raises broader questions about the UK’s foreign policy, particularly its role in conflicts where international humanitarian laws are at risk of being violated. His resignation is likely to intensify debates within the government and among the public about the morality of the UK’s arms trade and its impact on global conflicts.

As Smith’s concerns echo through the corridors of the FCDO, it remains to be seen whether his resignation will lead to any substantial changes in the UK’s arms export policies or if it will be absorbed into the ongoing controversy surrounding the country’s foreign policy decisions.

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