EU staff criticise von der Leyen over Israel stance

EU staff working around the world have criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s position of ‘unconditional support’ to Israel, in a letter seen by Euractiv. 

“Notably, we are concerned about the unconditional support by the European Commission you represent, for one of the two parties”, they stated in a three-page letter, which was sent to von der Leyen’s office on Friday (20 October), stated.

Euractiv understands the letter has been sent to EU delegations around the world, including the European Commission’s representation offices. Around 32,000 people are on the EU staff payroll. Close to 850 staff are believed to have already signed the letter.

“We, a group of EU Commission and other EU institutions’ staff solemnly condemn on personal grounds the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against helpless civilians (…). We equally strongly condemn the disproportionate reaction by the Israeli government against the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip”, they write.

“Precisely because of these atrocities, we are surprised by the stance the European Commission has taken – and even other EU institutions – promoting what has been described in the press as European cacophony,” the letter reads.

They also write that they are concerned about “the seeming indifference demonstrated over the past few days by our institution toward the ongoing massacre of civilians in the Gaza Strip, in disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law”.

Earlier last week, the Commission had to backtrack on its early announcement by Neighbourhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi that it would cut “all aid” to Palestinians following widespread criticism from other EU institutions and divisions within the EU executive.

Some EU officials and member states also criticised von der Leyen, who visited Israel last Friday (13 October), for not declaring that the EU expects Israel to abide by international humanitarian law in its response to the attack, as other EU leaders did.

“The position of the member states was expressed in particular through the Council, in this case by [High Representative Josep] Borrell, after the debate between the member states,” an Elysée source said after an initial extraordinary EU foreign ministers meeting on the matter.

European Council’s President Charles Michel said on Tuesday (17 October) that the siege of Gaza by Israel, where “no water, no food can go in, does not respect international law”.

In their letter, EU staff said they do not recognise European values in the Commission’s stance.

“We urge you to call, together with the leaders of the whole Union, for a ceasefire and for the protection of civilian life. This is at the core of the EU existence,” the signatories added.

“The EU risks losing all credibility”, they warned.

[Edited by Alexandra Brzozowski/Benjamin Fox]

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