A British diplomat has resigned over claims continued arm gross sales to Israel might be making the UK “complicit in war crimes”.
Mark Smith, who labored as second secretary within the British embassy in Eire, shared his resignation letter on-line.
In it, he says: “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.”
He provides that “senior members of the Israeli government and military have expressed open genocidal intent” and “Israeli soldiers take videos deliberately burning, destroying and looting civilian property”.
In consequence, he writes: “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.”
Israel denies any breach of worldwide regulation and describes its operations in Gaza as a “just war” in response to Hamas’s 7 October assault.
The Worldwide Felony Court docket (ICC) has put out an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations of conflict crimes.
Mr Netanyahu, who’s going through criticism inside Israel for his dealing with of the remaining hostages in Gaza, stated he “rejects with disgust” the accusations.
“No pressure and no decision in any international forum will prevent us from striking those who seek to destroy us,” he has stated.
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Mr Smith claims he used to preside over the arms export licensing evaluation within the Center East and North African Division, which he says makes him a “subject matter expert”.
“There is no justification for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel and yet somehow it continues,” he writes.
“I’ve raised this at each stage within the organisation together with via an official whistleblowing investigation and acquired nothing greater 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.”
Signing off the letter, he says: “I hope that we can look back on history and be proud.”
Since 2008, the UK has licensed arms price greater than £576m to Israel, in response to evaluation of presidency export information by the Marketing campaign In opposition to Arms Commerce.
In June, the earlier authorities printed information on UK licences granted to Israel since 7 October 2023, revealing 42 between then and 31 Could this yr.
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Whereas nonetheless in opposition, now International Secretary David Lammy urged the International Workplace to publish its authorized recommendation round whether or not Israel is complying with worldwide regulation in Gaza.
A International Commonwealth and Growth Workplace spokesperson stated: “This authorities is dedicated to upholding worldwide regulation.
“We now have made clear that we are going to not export gadgets in the event that they may be used to commit or facilitate a critical violation of worldwide humanitarian regulation.
“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.”
