ALWAGHT- EU civil servants in Brussels confront the Commission over its "Israel" policy, condemning war crimes in Gaza and calling for stronger human rights measures.
EU civil servants in Brussels are increasingly clashing with the European Commission over the bloc’s stance on Israel amid the Gaza conflict. Staff members are pushing back against restrictions on their freedom to protest, arguing that the EU’s failure to pressure Israel over alleged war crimes puts them in a position of moral and legal conflict.
Many employees claim that continuing to work under the current policies forces them into “complicity,” violating EU and international law. An internal group, EU Staff for Peace, has accused EU leadership of intimidating protesters by using tactics such as physical removals, contract non-renewals, and suppressing petitions. Around 1,500 staff have signed an open letter calling for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The European Commission maintains that foreign policy decisions rest with national governments, cautioning employees to remain neutral and avoid political activism at work. The Commission suggests staff use formal internal channels to express concerns, but critics argue these avenues are ineffective and have already been exhausted by protesting employees.
Despite diplomatic warnings against Israel for breaching human rights commitments, European leaders remain divided on taking concrete actions like suspending trade benefits. This lack of unified response has intensified frustrations within EU institutions, with some civil servants even considering strikes to demand stronger pressure on Israel.
