Upon receiving a letter expressing concerns about potential UK 'complicity' in Israel's conduct in Gaza, the two most senior civil servants in the Foreign Office, Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, responded by advising the signatories to consider resigning from the Civil Service if their disagreement with government policy is profound.

One official who signed the letter described the response as 'outrageous', highlighting frustration and disappointment at the diminishing space for challenge within the organization.

This letter, dated 16 May, is at least the fourth of its kind sent by concerned civil servants to ministers and Foreign Office managers since late 2023. The signatories, representing various expertise across Foreign Office departments, embassies, and missions, have raised issues including the civilian death toll in Gaza, Israel's aid supply restrictions, and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Staff are concerned that their warnings have not been heeded, potentially leaving them liable in future legal proceedings against the UK government. The letter also mentioned Israel's violations of international humanitarian law, including the killing of humanitarian workers and the suspension of aid to Gaza, which has been criticized as using starvation as a weapon of war.

The UK government's stance on these issues, along with continued weapons exports and meetings with Israeli officials despite concerns about international law violations, has been criticized for contributing to the erosion of global norms. The letter also highlighted Israeli government plans for the forcible transfer of Gaza's population, supported by the Trump administration.