Foreign Office staff told to consider resigning if they disagree on Gaza
Some 300 staff at the Government department, sent a letter to David Lammy raising concerns about Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the BBC reported
Civil servants in the Foreign Office have been told they should resign if they disagree with the Government’s policy over Gaza, reports suggest.
Some 300 staff at the Government department, based in the UK and offices abroad, sent a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy raising concerns about Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the BBC reported.
The letter warned of “complicity” in Israel’s actions and questioned continued UK arms sales to the country, according to the broadcaster.
The Foreign Office’s two most senior officials, Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, responded to the letter.
“If your disagreement with any aspect of Government policy or action is profound your ultimate recourse is to resign from the Civil Service. This is an honourable course,” they told staff in their reply.
The two Foreign Office bosses insisted they wanted to see a “healthy challenge” to policy but said it was up to civil servants to deliver on the will of the Government.
The letter, which follows several other similar missives to Civil Service chiefs, was signed on May 16, the BBC reported.
In it, the signatories said: “In July 2024, staff expressed concern about Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law and potential UK government complicity.
“In the intervening period, the reality of Israel’s disregard for international law has become more stark.”
They went on to list the killing by Israeli forces of 15 aid workers in March, and the blockade on aid into Gaza, among their concerns.
They added that “supported by the Trump administration, the Israeli government has made explicit plans for the forcible transfer of Gaza’s population”.
Ministers’ official line is that Israel is “at risk” of breaching international law with its actions in Gaza.
The Government halted 30 out of around 350 arms sales licences to Israel in September last year, for fear they may be used for war crimes.
MPs critical of Israel’s actions have called on ministers to go further, and to halt all UK arms sales to the country.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Since day one, this Government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza.
“One of our first acts in Government was to suspend export licences that could be used by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza.
“We have successfully implemented the suspension decision and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications.
“We have suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition which could be used in Gaza.
“We have also suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement, while supporting humanitarian efforts through the restoration of funding to UNRWA, and the commitment of over £230 million in assistance across the past two financial years.”
They added: “It is the job of civil servants to deliver on the policies of the government of the day and to provide professional, impartial advice as set out in the Civil Service Code. There are systems in place which allow them to raise concerns if they have them.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
