Choosing sides

According to a number of media outlets – including Yahoo News, Middle East Monitor, SquawkBox and Action on Armed Violence – a senior diplomat at the Foreign, Comonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) resigned this week, stating that he could no longer carry on his duties “in the knowledge that this Department may be complicit in War Crimes”. The diplomat in question (as reported by these sources) is Mark Smith, and a full statement appeared yesterday on X (Twitter).

Now, we need to be extremely cautious, here… because, after the misinformation that sparked the recent racist riots in Southport and elsewhere in the UK, it’s important to check the facts before jumping to conclusions or spreading rumours.

Without wishing to cast doubt over the integrity, scrutiny or objectivity of the handful of sites that have carried this bombshell of a story, it would be dangerous and irresponsible to share it further without some corroboration.

Let’s turn, then, to the BBC – the UK’s trusted source of all that’s relevant and accurate. Okay, it’s not front-page news so, clearly, even if true, the BBC doesn’t feel it’s as earth-shattering a story as some believe. Digging further… still no mention, anywhere. Despite the Beeb’s vast resources and journalistic excellence, there seems to be zero coverage – not even an investigation of the potentially explosive (potential) lie, and which state actor (Russia?) is pursuing this evil course of action.

Maybe the Guardian has something to say on the matter? Apparently not. Likewise the Times, Telegraph, ITV, Channel 4, Independent… in fact, there’s nothing, anywhere. News research database, LexisNexis, found a short piece in The National (Scotland), but that’s it.

Okay, just for information, here’s the ‘statement’ that appeared on X. But, until the mainstream press says something (anything), this could all just be the nefarious outpourings of some anti-Israel extremist. So, read with caution – it’s a work of fiction until our trusted media says otherwise.

“FCDO complicity in War Crimes

“I write to you on my last day in the FCDO with a message I never wanted to send.

“It is with sadness that I resign after a long career in the diplomatic service, however I can no longer carry out my duties in the knowledge that this Department may be complicit in War Crimes.

“As former penholder on the arms exports licensing assessment in MENAD, I am a subject matter expert in the domain of armed sales policy. Each day we witness clear and unquestionable examples of War Crimes and breaches of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza perpetrated by the State of Israel.

“Senior members of the Israeli government and military have expressed open genocidal intent, Israeli soldiers take videos, deliberately burning destroying, and looting civilian property and openly admit to the rape and torture of prisoners.

“Over half of Gaza’s homes and over 80% of commercial properties have been damaged or destroyed. Whole streets and universities have been demolished, humanitarian aid is being blocked and civilians are regularly left with no safe quarter to flee to. Red Crescent ambulances have been attacked, schools and hospitals are regularly targeted. These are War Crimes.

“There is no justification for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel yet somehow it continues. I have raised this at every level in the organisation including through an official whistle blowing investigation and received nothing more than ‘thank you we have noted your concerns’

“Ministers claim that the UK has one of the most “robust and transparent” arms export licensing regimes in the world, however this is the opposite of the truth. As a fully cleared officer raising serious concerns of illegality in this Department, to be disregarded in this way is deeply troubling.

“It is my duty as a public servant to raise this.

“I urge you as officers of good conscience to join the many colleagues who have also raised concerns over this issue.The FCDO has some of the most brilliant, hard-working and good-hearted people I have ever known and I have been proud to work alongside you.

“I hope that we can look back on history and be proud.
Best regards,
Mark”

Mark Smith does, apparently, exist… certainly according to his LinkedIn profile, where he’s cited as Head of Africa Programmes and Expertise Department at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for the past three and a half years. Prior to that, he spent 14 years at the government’s Department for International Development (DFID).

Even if this person didn’t exist, wasn’t really a diplomat, or if his identity had been stolen for the purposes of anti-war propaganda, the points addressed in this ‘resignation statement’ remain valid. Where, for example is the previous government’s legal advice that Labour was so eager to bring to light? And, by what moral compass is it okay to keep funding and arming a regime that so flagrantly disregards international law and human rights – in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Jerusalem and elsewhere? How can anyone, in the face of such overwhelming evidence, claim that the most heinous war crimes are not being committed, and that we are not complicit?

Say, for the sake of argument, this were to be true, and not just some Russian misdirection… then you have to ask yourself… why the silence from across the mainstream media? Is this not an important story – one way or another? And, is it any wonder that citizen journalism and social media news is thriving, and that trust in the mainstream is at an all-time low, when important stories such as this (assuming for a moment… etc) are seemingly ignored or pushed under the carpet?

According to his tweet, today, Brian Whittaker, former Middle-East editor for the Guardian, emailed the Foreign Office for a comment as to whether Mark Smith had resigned over this issue. A FCDO spokesperson issued the following statement:

“This government is committed to upholding international law. We have made clear that we will not export items if they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.

“There is an ongoing review process to assess whether Israel is complying with International Humanitarian Law, which the Foreign Secretary initiated on day one in office. We will provide an update as soon as that review process has been completed.”

“On background:
“We do not comment on individual cases. We have processes in place for staff to raise individual concerns, including if they have a particular policy concern. We have a number of sources of support for staff to receive advice, guidance and/or pastoral/counselling support. These include dedicated internal teams for staff serving in the UK and Overseas, Staff Counsellors, the Employee Assistance Programme and extensive wellbeing resources.”

Freelance Journalist Hind Hassan (formerly Vice News, Al Jazeera, Sky News), who claimed on X to have seen the original resignation email, stated that Smith was based at the British Embassy in Dublin in the role of Second Secretary Counter Terrorism.

It would be nice, given the potential importance of this (potential) resignation, if the BBC – or anyone from the establishment media, with all its might and influence – cared to comment and put us all out of our sceptical misery. Otherwise, you’ve got to wonder why…

Perhaps tomorrow?