Johannesburg,South Africa

The UK government complicity in war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza has forced the senior British diplomat Mark Smith to resign at Foreign,Commonwealth & Development Office(FCDO).

Smith's resignation is a proof that the British government is aware that what they are doing at the Foreign,Commonwealth & Development Office(FCDO) is against the international humanitarian law.

The FCDO is falling under the leadership of UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy who was appointed few months ago by Prime Minister Keir Starmer after elections.

In his resignation letter,he pointed out that he cannot be a part of the department that is violating international laws just to please Israel government which has killed more than 40,000 civilians and destroyed civilian infrastructure since October 2023.

"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,"said Smith.

He mentioned that as someone who have been responsible for arms exports licensing he knows very well that what is happening in Gaza is a war crimes and is against international law.

He said as former penholder on the arms exports licensing assessment in MENAD,I am a subject matter expert in the domain of armed sales policy.Each day we witness clear and unquestionable examples of war crimes and breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza perpetrated by the State of Israel.

He expressed his disappointment by the stance of UK government because it is in a public domain that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

"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.

Over half of Gaza's homes and over 80% of commercial properties have been damaged or destroyed.Whole streets and universities have been demolished,humanitarian aid is being blocked and civilians are regularly left with no safe quarter to flee to.Red Crescent ambulances have been attacked,schools and hospitals are regularly targeted.These are war crimes,"said Smith in a disgusted and disappointed tone.

In his resignation letter,he revealed that he tried all avenues within the UK government to express his concerns about arms sales to Israel,however he was ignored by his seniors.

He added that there is no justification for the UK's continued arms sales to Israel yet somehow it continues.I have raised this at every level in the organisation including through a official whistle blowing investigation and received nothing more than "thank you we have noted your concerns".

He disagreed with public statements which UK ministers are keeping on making whereby claim that UK has a 'robust and transparent' arms policy.

"Ministers claim that 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.As a fully cleared officer raising serious concerns of illegality in this Department,to be disregarded in this way is deeply troubling.It is my duty as a public servant to raise this,"Smith concluded.