UK officials say civil servants concerned about British support for Israel can resign

LONDON — Civil servants who are concerned about British support for Israel’s war in Gaza were told they should consider resigning by Foreign Office officials.

In a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month, seen by the BBC and Novara Media, more than 300 Foreign Office staff said the U.K. could be “doing more” to end the conflict and it was “unclear what further action” the government was considering taking to achieve this.

The officials wrote the “reality of Israel’s disregard for international law has become more stark” since a previous letter in July 2024, with aid largely suspended to the strip and two Labour MPs prohibited from entering Israel. The British government’s position, the letter said, had “contributed to the erosion of global norms.”

They also noted with “concern” efforts to screen out questions about Gaza in all-staff meeting sessions, and urged ministers to publish legal advice and potentially suspend arms sales.

Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Olly Robbins and Second Permanent Under-Secretary Nick Dyer wrote in response on May 29 that while the department welcomes “healthy challenge” in policymaking, they wanted to remind staff of mechanisms available for those who are “uncomfortable” with government policy.

These included speaking to a line manager and staff counselors.

The officials added: “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.”

They warned civil servants that while there was “no problem” having criticisms of government policy, their job was to “deliver the policies of the government of the day wholeheartedly.”

‘Hopelessly inadequate’

The Foreign Office has repeatedly criticized the “intolerable” situation in Gaza — where Israel has been waging war on Hamas militants since October 2023 — and called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and for aid to be allowed in.

The U.K. suspended free trade agreement negotiations with Israel last month due to its block on aid and imposed sanctions on individuals and businesses perpetuating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Last year, it suspended some export licences over concerns they might be used in violation of international humanitarian law.

However, it has rejected calling Israel’s assault a genocide, stating that is for the courts to decide, and has not recognized a Palestinian state.

The Public and Commercial Services Union’s General Secretary Fran Heathcote, who represents many U.K. government workers, said Robbins and Dyer’s response was “consistent with the attitude displayed by civil service management all along, in that it is hopelessly inadequate.”

“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,” she said.

Heathcote added: “As for the suggestion that civil servants may wish to resign if they are uncomfortable with what they are being asked to do — this is simply reprehensible. It is a dereliction of duty and a startling ignorance of the provisions of the civil service code, which require all civil servants to act in accordance with the law, including international law. ”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Since day one, this government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza.”

The spokesperson added:“It is the job of civil servants to deliver on the policies of the government of the day and to provide professional, impartial advice as set out in the Civil Service code. There are systems in place which allow them to raise concerns if they have them.”