11/6/2025–|Last update: 03:22 (Mecca time)
A new document revealed that tension was escalated within the British Foreign Ministry, after more than 300 employees implicitly received a warning that they should think of resignation if their dispute with the government’s policy on Gaza was deep.
This came after more than 300 British Foreign Ministry employees in a letter to Minister David Lami expressed concern about British arms sales to Israel as part of the war in the Gaza Strip, according to the BBC.
In a message on May 16, employees asked about the possibility of the United Kingdom “collusion” of the war on Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
The BBC reported that the message signed on May 16 is at least the fourth document sent by the civil service employees concerned with the ministers and directors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since late 2023.
The multiplicity of messages reflects the escalation of anxiety within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially since the signatories represent a wide range of experiences through the departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies and missions, including in London and outside.
In July 2024, employees expressed concern about Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law and the possibility of the United Kingdom’s complicity.
They stressed that since then, Israel has become more clear.
They pointed to the number of civilian victims in the Gaza Strip, the restrictions imposed on the arrival of international aid, and the violence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
In September 2024, the government of the Labor Party, led by Kiir Starmer, announced the suspension of 30 licenses to export weapons to Israel, noting a “clear threat” that it can be used in a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Foreign: You can resign
In their response to the letter, Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, the highest employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reminded of various ways that allow employees to express their concerns, and confirmed that it was “as a last solution”, they can resign.
They added that “the basic principle of British public service is our commitment to implementing government policies without reservation, within the limits imposed by law and the public service law.”
This response – which caused, according to the commission, comes at home – at a time when criticism of the Israeli government is increasing.
UN experts, human rights organizations and several countries are increasingly charges of Israel of genocide and war crimes. They are accusations that they reject.
A British Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed in connection with the French Press Agency that “since the first day, this government has implemented international law firmly regarding the war in Gaza.”