EU Civil Servants Demand Right to Protest Bloc’s Stance On Israel 

Civil servants operating European Union institutions in Belgium are planning to challenge restrictions on protesting their employer’s political stance on Israel’s war in Gaza, with many accusing the 27-nation bloc of ignoring its own treaties and international law by failing to pressure Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza, Politico reported Tuesday. 

Since late July, around 1,500 of the EU’s 32,000 staff in Brussels have signed an open letter warning of an “exponential” rise in starvation-related deaths in Gaza if more aid isn’t allowed to enter the enclave, urging action under the EU-Israel trade agreement.  

Officials warned that the EU’s inaction makes it impossible to perform their duties without violating their legal and moral obligations. They accused the institutions of imposing “complicity” and suppressing dissent through intimidation, contract terminations and bans on internal petitions. 

In response, the European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, has insisted that foreign policy is a matter for national governments. It cautioned staff to remain impartial and avoid political activism in the workplace, saying civil servants can use internal letters, union dialogue, and meetings with managers to voice concerns – but not public protests.  

The commission has rejected allegations of intimidation, countering that any departures or contract non-renewals were due to service needs and performance.  

Even so, the European Council, the bloc’s head of state, confirmed the removal of staff from its canteen during a July protest where seven officials wore “Say no to genocide” t-shirts. The council, however, rejected claims of political suppression.  

While some civil servants are considering industrial action, unions remain divided over whether to support strikes amid fears of legal or professional repercussions. 

The internal unrest comes as global criticism of Israel has intensified following an airstrike Sunday near Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital that killed six journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif, who the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed was “the head of a Hamas terrorist cell,” citing documents it obtained from Gaza, the Times of Israel wrote. 

The IDF did not comment on the affiliation of the other five journalists. 

Al Jazeera rejected the claims and accused Israel of systematically targeting its staff. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on Israel to provide “clear evidence,” while United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres demanded an independent investigation. 

Separately, Argentina’s Association of State Workers (ATE) and a human rights group this week filed a federal court complaint seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his official visit next month, MercoPress added. 

The filing cites International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued in November 2024 and accuses Netanyahu of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. 

The plaintiffs urged the Argentine government to either extradite him to the Netherlands-based tribunal or prosecute him domestically, as per the “aut dedere aut iudicare” (extradite or prosecute) principle.