Diplomat Resigns Over UK Arms Sales to Israel Amid Conflict

British diplomat Mark Smith, stationed at the embassy in Dublin, has resigned from his position over the UK’s ongoing arms sales to Israel. Smith previously worked as a counter-terrorism official and policy advisor in the Middle East and North Africa Department for a lengthy term. He explained that he had no choice but to leave if the government continues selling arms to “mass murderers”. Smith’s resignation is associated with the UK and its Israel-Gaza conflict position, which intensified after the invasion of Gaza by Israel in October 2023. He noted that the UK’s arms sales do not meet the strict processes developed to prevent civilian casualties as part of the UK’s own laws that govern the sale of weapons.

Israel’s actions are insufficient to safeguard the life of civilians living in the Gaza Strip as per Smith, a view that has led him to question the legality and morality of his employer’s arms export practices. His work involves evaluating the extent to which arm purchases comply with international law, and he has spoken about his views internally and outside the Foreign Office. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated they will be reviewing Israel’s compliance with International Humanitarian Law. The day the review was launched, the foreign secretary was appointed. The review’s findings are not yet due.

Smith’s resignation was the subject of an interview, and there have been discussions on the move. This is because the British diplomat strikes at the heart of the government’s approach to foreign affairs and its arms sales to areas facing armed conflicts. His resignation, therefore, appears to exemplify a significant objection within the UK’s sophisticated professional diplomatic corps on such issues.