Foreign Office

Declassified barred from London arms fair as Israeli weapons dealers arrive

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https://www.declassifieduk.org/declassified-barred-from-london-arms-fair-as-israeli-weapons-dealers-arrive

A mock sign greets delegates arriving at DSEI. (Photo: Vuk Valcic / Alamy)

Press freedom groups condemn organiser’s last minute decision to deny Declassified entry.

A major arms fair has been criticised by press freedom groups for refusing to let Declassified enter the event, which is being held for the first time since Labour took power.

The biennial Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) trade show is hosting over 50 Israeli companies this week at London’s sprawling ExCel Centre, despite cancelling plans for an Israeli government pavilion.

Exhibitors include Rafael, a missile manufacturer wholly owned by the Israeli state, and private weapons firm Elbit, which supplies 85% of drones used in Gaza.

It marks the first time Declassified has been denied media accreditation, having attended the last two DSEI events.

Those took place under Conservative governments in 2023 and 2021, when we questioned defence ministers about arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Reporters Without Borders said the decision to block Declassified this year was “worrying”, “anti-democratic” and “suggests there is something to hide.”

When Declassified was allowed to enter DSEI in 2021, event spokesman General Roddy Porter claimed: “We’ve got nothing to hide here. This is a legitimate government transactional business.”

DSEI is organised by the company Clarion Events but relies on close cooperation from the UK’s Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office and trade department.

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Article continues at https://www.declassifieduk.org/declassified-barred-from-london-arms-fair-as-israeli-weapons-dealers-arrive

Continue ReadingDeclassified barred from London arms fair as Israeli weapons dealers arrive

Foreign Office Bosses Have a Suggestion for Staff With Gaza Conscience: Resign

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https://novaramedia.com/2025/06/05/foreign-office-bosses-have-a-suggestion-for-staff-with-gaza-conscience-resign/

Credit: Bronte Dow/Novara Media

‘Consult your line manager.’

Over 300 Foreign Office officials who collectively raised concerns about the government’s handling of the Gaza genocide have been slapped down by their Whitehall superiors in a letter described by a former senior diplomat as “shameful”.

Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, the two most senior civil servants in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), reminded a group of officials that while they welcomed “healthy challenge”, there were other “mechanisms available to those who are uncomfortable” with policy besides applying collective pressure – including resignation.

In mid-May, officials wrote to foreign secretary David Lammy urging the government to end its collaboration with Israel and comply with international law.

In their response, seen exclusively by Novara Media and published in full below, Robbins and Dyer suggested that employees worried that the government may be enabling war crimes speak to their line managers, vent to a staff counsellor or resign, the last of which they described as “an honourable course”.

A former senior British diplomat described Robbins and Dyer’s letter to Novara Media as “shameful” and “a sneering fob off” to staff acting on “deep personal conscience”. They called on the House of Commons foreign affairs committee to investigate the exchange.

Zarah Sultana, an MP currently suspended from the Labour whip for opposing the two-child benefit cap, told Novara Media: “This is what happens when a government enables genocide: it silences its own workers, censors questions and dares them to quit rather than change course.”

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Article continues at https://novaramedia.com/2025/06/05/foreign-office-bosses-have-a-suggestion-for-staff-with-gaza-conscience-resign/

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Continue ReadingForeign Office Bosses Have a Suggestion for Staff With Gaza Conscience: Resign

Israeli General given special immunity for secret trip to Britain

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https://www.declassifieduk.org/israeli-general-given-special-immunity-for-secret-trip-to-britain/

General Basyuk (left) is one of Israel’s most senior military commanders. (Photo: IDF)

Israeli General Oded Basyuk and his delegation were given special diplomatic immunity to visit Britain last month, the UK government has confirmed.

Basyuk is the head of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Operations Directorate, which is responsible for preparing the Israeli military for war.

He was on the ground in Gaza during Israel’s most recent onslaught and presided over decision-making on last year’s offensive in southern Lebanon.

Declassified exposed Basyuk’s trip to London on 22 January, questioning the Israeli General and his delegation after they had finished meetings at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Whitehall.

The UK government has now revealed it “gave consent for special mission status for the visit to the UK on 21-22 January of Major General Oded Bassiuk… and delegation” to attend meetings with officials with the MoD, Foreign Office, and Cabinet Office.

The information was provided in response to a parliamentary question from Brian Leishman, the Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth.

Jonathan Purcell from the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) told Declassified: “It is not only an insult to the victims of the genocide in Gaza, but also a total disregard to the rule of law, for the UK to grant diplomatic immunity to senior Israeli officials who have been actively responsible for international crimes against the Palestinian people.”

While Basyuk is not currently sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC), it is possible to issue private arrest warrants in Britain under universal jurisdiction legislation, which allows for the most serious crimes to be prosecuted regardless of where they are committed.

However, the UK government blocked this avenue for judicial redress by issuing Basyuk and his delegation with a “special mission” certificate, granting them diplomatic immunity for the duration of the visit.

…

Article continues at https://www.declassifieduk.org/israeli-general-given-special-immunity-for-secret-trip-to-britain/

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy confirms that UK government and military are active participants in Israel’s genocides and that the F-35 parts that they suspended from supplying to Israel are instead simply diverted via the United States. He says see https://youtu.be/QILgUHrdWRE
Continue ReadingIsraeli General given special immunity for secret trip to Britain

Foreign Office diplomat resigns accusing govt of complicity in Gaza genocide – MSM ignore

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Original article by Skwawkbox republished from the Skwawkbox.

Mark Smith has quit role in FCDO over department’s complicity in ‘unquestionable’ war crimes, cover-ups and refusal to listen to his whistleblowing – UK media silent

Foreign Office (FCDO) diplomat Mark Smith – an expert in arms licensing and sales – has resigned from his role saying he cannot serve in a department he thinks is complicit in ‘unquestionable’ war crimes and which has both covered-up Israel’s unfitness to receive UK weapons and ignored his attempts to blow the whistle on it. Smith wrote:

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°/o 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

Despite the explosive nature of Smith’s resignation, the UK ‘mainstream’ media appear to be ignoring it. A search for news about him reveals no ‘mainstream’ coverage:

Original article by Skwawkbox republished from the Skwawkbox.

Continue ReadingForeign Office diplomat resigns accusing govt of complicity in Gaza genocide – MSM ignore