Foreign Office staff objecting to the UK policy in relation to Israel and the war in Gaza have been told to consider resigning as an “honourable course” if they do not wish to carry out their duty to deliver government policies.
Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, the two most senior civil servants in the Foreign Office, reminded staff of the “bargain at the heart of the British Civil Service” after they raised concerns about possible UK “complicity” in Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
A staff letter, which was also sent to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month , and which has now been seen by the BBC, condemned what the writers said was a “stark… disregard for international law” by Israel.
It went on to also note the scale of the civilian death toll in Gaza, Israel’s restrictions on aid supply and Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The response from the two senior civil servants was allegedly met with “outrage”, one official who signed the letter told the BBC.
They added there is “frustration and a deep sense of disappointment that the space for challenge is being further shut down.”
The 16 May letter, signed by staff across Foreign Office departments, embassies and missions including in London and overseas, said: “In July 2024, staff expressed concern about Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law and potential UK government complicity. In the intervening period, the reality of Israel’s disregard for international law has become more stark.”
It said the killing by Israeli forces of 15 humanitarian workers in March and Israel’s suspension of all aid to Gaza in the same month had led” many experts and humanitarian organisations to accuse Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war”.
It also condemned the visit to London in April by Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar “despite concerns about violations of international law”.
Responding on 29 May, Sir Oliver and Mr Dyer listed ways staff could raise issues, before adding that resignation was an “ultimate recourse” and “honourable course” for those who had profound disagreements over government policy.
“The bargain at the heart of the British Civil Service is that we sign up to deliver the policies of the Government of the day wholeheartedly, within the limits imposed by the law and the Civil Service Code,” it said.
In a statement to the BBC, the FCDO said the job of civil servants was to deliver on government policies and 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,” said the spokesperson.
“Since day one, this government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza.
“One of our first acts in government was to suspend export licences that could be used by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza.
“We have suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition which could be used in Gaza.”
