- Mark Smith criticised the government’s claims of having a “robust and transparent” arms export licensing regime as misleading.
- He resigned after his concerns about potential breaches of international humanitarian law were dismissed by the department.
A senior British diplomat has resigned in protest over the UK’s ongoing arms sales to Israel, alleging that the government’s actions are complicit in war crimes being committed in Gaza.
Mark Smith, formerly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), announced his resignation in a letter that has intensified scrutiny of the UK’s foreign policy. In his letter, Smith expressed growing dismay over the UK’s arms export practices, arguing that the government’s claims of having one of the most “robust and transparent” arms export licensing regimes are misleading. He noted that his concerns about potential breaches of international humanitarian law had been dismissed by the department, leaving him with no choice but to resign.
“It is with sadness that I resign after a long career in the diplomatic service. However, I can no longer perform my duties knowing that this Department may be complicit in war crimes,” Smith wrote.
He characterised the ongoing genocide in Gaza as clear and undeniable examples of war crimes, accusing Israel of violating international humanitarian law.
Smith’s resignation has attracted significant attention within the FCDO and beyond, raising ethical questions about the UK’s role in the massacre of Palestinians. His departure follows numerous internal attempts to address these issues, which Smith claims were met with indifference or outright dismissal.
The resignation letter was shared on X (Twitter) by Hind Hassan (@HindHassanNews), a journalist with VICE News, Al Jazeera, and Sky News.
Dr. Iain Overton, Executive Director of Action on Armed Violence, commented on Smith’s resignation, stating, “Mark Smith’s resignation is a profound indictment of the UK’s arms export policies. It takes immense courage to challenge a system complicit in civilian suffering, and his actions should prompt a serious reevaluation of the ethical responsibilities associated with arms trading.”
Smith’s departure raises broader questions about the UK’s foreign policy, particularly its involvement in conflicts where international humanitarian laws are at risk of being breached. His resignation is likely to intensify debates within the government and among the public regarding the morality of the UK’s arms trade and its effects on global conflicts.
As Smith’s concerns reverberate through the corridors of the FCDO, it remains to be seen whether his resignation will result in substantial changes to the UK’s arms export policies or merely add to the ongoing controversy surrounding the country’s foreign policy decisions.
