Top UK civil servants have told Foreign Office staff they should consider resigning if they are unable to support the government’s approach to the ongoing war in Gaza, in a response that has sparked anger and disappointment among hundreds of concerned employees.
More than 300 Foreign Office officials signed a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month, raising deep concerns about the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel and what they described as a growing “disregard for international law” in Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The staff letter, seen by the BBC, also highlighted concerns about the UK’s potential complicity in actions that could breach humanitarian law. In recent months, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in a rising civilian death toll, restrictions on aid deliveries, and continued settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Responding to the letter, Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, the two most senior officials at the Foreign Office, acknowledged staff concerns but reminded them that their role was to support the elected government’s policies. “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 wrote.
This blunt response has triggered outrage among some staff. Speaking anonymously, one official said: “There is frustration and a deep sense of disappointment that the space for challenge is being further shut down.”
The staff letter is the fourth such document sent to ministers and Foreign Office leadership since late 2023. It reflects growing unease within the UK civil service as the situation in Gaza worsens. The letter noted: “The reality of Israel’s disregard for international law has become more stark.” It cited the killing of 15 humanitarian workers by Israeli forces and the suspension of aid to Gaza in March — moves which some experts say may amount to the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Officials also expressed concern that those tasked with implementing UK policies could one day be held legally accountable in future proceedings, given the gravity of the situation.
Although the UK government suspended around 30 arms export licences to Israel in September, staff argue that continued arms sales and diplomatic engagement risk further undermining global legal norms. The recent visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to London was cited as an example of the UK ignoring international concerns.
In their response, Robbins and Dyer said that the Foreign Office promotes healthy challenge and had established a Challenge Board and regular listening sessions. However, they emphasised that civil servants are bound to deliver government policy as set out in the Civil Service Code.
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Former Foreign Office official Mark Smith, who resigned last year over arms sales to Israel, told the BBC: “I followed every formal process to raise my concerns and was ignored. We must speak out when policies risk breaching the law.”
The UK maintains that Israel is “at risk” of breaching humanitarian law but denies UK complicity. A Foreign Office spokesperson said the government has rigorously applied international law and pointed to the suspension of some exports, including F-35 jet parts, and the categorical refusal to export bombs or ammunition that could be used in Gaza.
Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and Hamas commanders over alleged war crimes in Gaza — charges Israel has rejected. The US has since imposed sanctions on ICC judges involved in the case.
As global legal pressure grows, UK civil servants now face a stark choice: support the government’s Gaza policy or step aside — a decision that will undoubtedly fuel ongoing debate inside Whitehall.
