Brussels civil servants are reportedly in a standoff with the EC over their right to protest the bloc’s stance on Israel
European Union staff are in a standoff with the European Commission over their right to protest its stance on Israel, accusing the bloc of breaching their moral and legal obligations, Politico has reported.
The civil servants say the EU’s position on the Gaza war puts them in violation of European and international law, the outlet cited unnamed officials from the bloc as saying on Tuesday.
One official said “complicity” has been imposed on employees, violating their “moral and legal obligations, suppressed conscientious resistance and delayed meaningful action.”
Since late July, around 1,500 officials have reportedly signed an open letter warning of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and a surge in starvation-related deaths unless more aid is allowed. Some have considered picketing, although the labor unions remain divided and the legal implications are unclear.
An internal group has alleged “intimidation” tactics against protesters, including the removal of staff, forced deletion of videos, and non-renewal of contracts.
A Commission spokesperson said EU foreign policy is set by national governments and that civil servants must remain neutral, adding that the workplace is not a venue for activism.
Rights groups have accused the bloc of indirectly backing Israel’s war by maintaining arms exports, preferential trade, and joint research projects – despite its own diplomats finding Israel in breach of human rights clauses.
Humanitarian agencies say that from early March to May, aid deliveries to Gaza were completely blocked off. The UN has reported that convoys continue to face obstruction and looting, warning by late July of “mounting evidence” of famine, with images of severely malnourished children circulating worldwide.
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