I saw illegality and complicity with war crimes. That’s why I quit the UK Foreign Office
I saw illegality and complicity with war crimes. That’s why I quit the UK Foreign Office

Ministers and senior officials protected arms deals facilitating death and horror in Gaza and Yemen. I urge my former colleagues to resist them, says one-time Foreign Office policy adviser Mark Smith

In August 2024, I resigned over the UK government’s refusal to halt arms sales to Israel amid the bombardment of Gaza. This decision followed over a year of internal lobbying and whistleblowing. My resignation made headlines, and weeks later, the new Labour government announced it would finally suspend arms sales to Israel. While this was welcome, it came far too late. Israel has continued to commit atrocities in Gaza as the UK stands by, unwilling to act.