EU officials slam bloc for taking 'no action' on Gaza
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Amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a coalition of EU staff is demanding stronger action from Brussels, including trade measures and support for international legal accountability.
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Destroyed buildings in Gaza Strip are seen from southern occupied Palestine, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP)
A year after their initial appeal, over 2,000 European Union officials have renewed their condemnation of the EU response to the Gaza crisis, accusing the bloc of taking “little or no meaningful action” as the humanitarian situation worsens.
The officials, part of the civil society group EU Staff for Peace, represent employees from the European Commission, European Parliament, and various EU agencies.
In May 2024, the group penned a public letter denouncing the EU’s indifference to Palestinian suffering. Now, on the anniversary of that appeal, they argue that EU institutions have failed to apply their political, diplomatic, and economic weight to help ease the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Their latest letter, addressed to the presidents of the European Commission, European Council, and European Parliament, states that the EU’s continued “inaction” has fostered “an environment of unaccountability,” enabling what they describe as the current full-scale invasion of Gaza.
Delayed EU-'Israel' trade agreement review draws criticism
The renewed internal dissent comes shortly after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced a review of the EU-"Israel" trade agreement, following pressure from a majority of member states. While the decision was cautiously welcomed by EU Staff for Peace, they called it “devastatingly late for thousands killed in Gaza.”
The timeline for the review remains uncertain. While suspending the agreement altogether would require unanimous approval from all 27 EU countries, certain elements, such as "Israel’s" participation in the Horizon research program and trade-related clauses, could potentially be frozen with a weighted-majority vote.
Zeno Benetti, a co-author of the letter, remarked, “The recent announcement of a review of the EU-Israel association agreement – 20 months into the conflict, and as thousands of children face starvation due to the renewed blockade on humanitarian aid – raises serious concerns about the adequacy and timing of the EU’s response.”
The letter also accuses EU institutions of a double standard in their dealings with "Israel" and its figures. Last year, EU Staff for Peace had called for a suspension of the trade agreement, a halt to arms exports, and active support for international legal bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Now, the group criticizes European leaders for considering hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes. Hungary welcomed Netanyahu on a four-day visit in April. Poland reportedly explored inviting him to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In Germany, Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz pledged to seek a legal solution allowing Netanyahu to visit without facing arrest.
EU denies accusations of inaction
EU Staff for Peace has requested formal meetings with the presidents of the Commission, Council, and Parliament. While waiting for a response, the group holds weekly Thursday demonstrations in front of the European Council and Commission buildings, urging more decisive action to support peace and accountability in the Middle East.
Although the European Commission has not commented on the latest letter, it previously denied accusations of inaction. Last week, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as “unacceptable” and repeated demands for "Israel" to lift its blockade and release remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, the Israeli genocide continues unabated, killing at least 53,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, in yet another wave of indiscriminate slaughter. Among the latest horrors was a holocaust overnight Monday when at least 30 Palestinians were killed after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) targeted al-Jerjawi Elementary School in Gaza with bunker-busting missiles.
Israel just bombed a school packed with families in Gaza. 19 people burned alive. Where’s the media? Where’s the panel of experts? Where are the public statements? pic.twitter.com/leT6JOYzbB
— Linda Mamoun (@mamoun_linda) May 26, 2025
The school, situated in a densely populated neighborhood, was struck by missiles that pierced the upper floors and detonated on the lower levels, where dozens of displaced civilians had taken shelter. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition, with charred remains bearing witness to the intensity of the strike.
