LONDON — In a recent development, civil servants expressing apprehension regarding the United Kingdom’s support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza have been advised by Foreign Office officials to contemplate resignation. This guidance follows a letter sent to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month, which was shared with the BBC and Novara Media.
In this letter, over 300 staff members from the Foreign Office articulated their belief that the U.K. could be doing “more” to facilitate an end to the hostilities. They expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the government’s forthcoming actions aimed at addressing the crisis. The officials pointed out that the “reality of Israel’s disregard for international law has become more stark” since their previous correspondence in July 2024. They noted that aid to Gaza has been significantly curtailed, and that two Labour MPs have been barred from entering Israel. Furthermore, they stated that the British government’s stance has “contributed to the erosion of global norms.”
Concerns over transparency and government policy
The civil servants raised “concerns” over attempts to exclude discussions about Gaza during all-staff meetings, urging ministers to disclose legal advice and potentially halt arms sales to Israel. In response, Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Olly Robbins and Second Permanent Under-Secretary Nick Dyer acknowledged the importance of “healthy challenge” in policymaking. However, they reminded staff of the available avenues for voicing discomfort with government policies, which included consulting with line managers and staff counselors.
“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 honorable course,”
the officials stated. They cautioned that while civil servants are entitled to criticize government policies, their primary responsibility is to implement the directives of the current government with full commitment.
Reactions from civil service representatives
The Foreign Office has consistently condemned the “intolerable” conditions in Gaza, where Israel has been engaging in military action against Hamas since October 2023. They have called for immediate ceasefires, the release of hostages, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.
Last month, the U.K. suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel due to the blockade on aid and imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. In the previous year, the government had also suspended several export licenses over concerns regarding potential violations of international humanitarian law.
However, the U.K. has refrained from labeling Israel’s military actions as genocide, maintaining that such determinations are for judicial bodies. Additionally, the British government has not acknowledged the status of a Palestinian state.
Fran Heathcote, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents a significant number of U.K. government employees, criticized Robbins and Dyer’s response as “hopelessly inadequate.” She remarked, “There has been little effort to address our members’ concerns and no effort to justify the U.K. government’s interactions with the government of Israel, despite our genuine concerns over its potential failure to comply with its obligations under international and domestic law.”
Heathcote further condemned the notion that civil servants should resign if they disagree with governmental directives, labeling it “reprehensible” and indicative of a failure to uphold the civil service code, which mandates compliance with legal obligations, including international law.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office asserted, “Since day one, this government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza.” They emphasized that it is the duty of civil servants to execute the policies set forth by the current government and to provide impartial, professional advice, as outlined in the Civil Service code. The spokesperson also reiterated the existence of mechanisms for staff to raise any concerns they might have.