Foreign Office staff told to consider resigning after challenging Gaza policy
Foreign Office says staff should resign if they disagree ‘profoundly’ over Gaza
- About 300 Foreign Office staff members sent a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressing concerns about Israel's conduct in Gaza, citing potential UK complicity in international law violations.
- The letter raised concerns about continued UK arms sales to Israel, referencing the killing of aid workers and the blockade on aid into Gaza.
- Senior Foreign Office officials Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer responded by stating that civil servants profoundly disagreeing with government policy should resign.
- The officials emphasized the need for a "healthy challenge" to policy but stressed civil servants' duty to implement the government's agenda.
- The Foreign Office stated that it rigorously applies international law regarding the conflict in Gaza, having suspended some arms export licenses and halting negotiations on a free trade agreement.