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In response to official government positions supporting Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza after October 7, 2023, and out of concern that expert advice was being ignored, multiple groups of civil service staff members on both sides of the Atlantic have made their views known through internal dissent mechanisms and discussions with leadership. Other groups have also made public dissent known. Several have resigned their positions as a result of their government's positions. [See also [[International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war]]]{{Short description|Open letter}}
{{Short description|Open letter}}
{{Merge to|International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war|discuss=Talk:International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war#Proposed merge of Transatlantic Civil Servants' Statement on Gaza into International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war|date=February 2024}}
{{Merge to|International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war|discuss=Talk:International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war#Proposed merge of Transatlantic Civil Servants' Statement on Gaza into International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war|date=February 2024}}


The '''Transatlantic Civil Servants’ Statement on Gaza''' is a public letter signed by over 800 currently serving officials in the United Stated and Europe which states that the policies of their governments during the [[Israel-Gaza war]] could amount to "grave violations of international law". The signatories are civil servants from the United States, the European Union, and 11 European countries including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The identities of the signers were not made public for fear of repercussions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/02/us/politics/protest-letter-israel-gaza.html|title=Over 800 Officials in U.S. and Europe Sign Letter Protesting Israel Policies|first1=Edward|last1=Wong|first2=Matina|last2=Stevis-Gridneff|work=The New York Times |date=February 2, 2024|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68177357|title=Western officials in protest over Israel Gaza policy|date=February 2, 2024|website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6632322/western-officials-criticize-israel-policies/|title=Over 800 Western Officials Denounce Pro-Israel Policies|date=February 2, 2024|magazine=TIME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/world/158022|title=US and EU civil servants call to end diplomatic support for Israel|date=February 2, 2024|website=EUobserver}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/middleeast/western-officials-criticism-gaza-policy-israel-intl/index.html|title=More than 800 Western officials pen scathing criticism of Gaza policy|first=Mick|last=Krever|date=February 2, 2024|website=CNN}}</ref>
The '''Transatlantic Civil Servants’ Statement on Gaza''' is a public statement signed by over 800 currently serving officials in the United Stated and Europe which states that the policies of their governments during the [[Israel-Gaza war]] could amount to "grave violations of international law". The [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTbqPLjpzDpGdamN2LWL1a-lLCkgs0nDOmgBN3MT-U-3-t5D1gIgrc5KORsHfO9nEIuOBdCnD-5tDKX/pub statement] was released on February 2, 2024. Several of the organizers explained the statement to the press. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/02/us/politics/protest-letter-israel-gaza.html|title=Over 800 Officials in U.S. and Europe Sign Letter Protesting Israel Policies|first1=Edward|last1=Wong|first2=Matina|last2=Stevis-Gridneff|work=The New York Times |date=February 2, 2024|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/world/158022|title=US and EU civil servants call to end diplomatic support for Israel|date=February 2, 2024|website=EUobserver}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68177357|title=Western officials in protest over Israel Gaza policy|date=February 2, 2024|website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6632322/western-officials-criticize-israel-policies/|title=Over 800 Western Officials Denounce Pro-Israel Policies|date=February 2, 2024|magazine=TIME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/middleeast/western-officials-criticism-gaza-policy-israel-intl/index.html|title=More than 800 Western officials pen scathing criticism of Gaza policy|first=Mick|last=Krever|date=February 2, 2024|website=CNN}}</ref> The identities of the signers were not made public for fear of repercussions. Reaction to the letter was mostly positive.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://twitter.com/Dave_Harden/status/1753770649128927315}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://twitter.com/MartinKonecny/status/1753414571295916053}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2461686}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url= |archive-url=https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/propaganda-gaza-genocide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/1753431537662488826}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://twitter.com/JVoiceLabour/status/1753426543051682045}}</ref>

The statement was organized by civil servants in the Netherlands and the United States. The signatories are civil servants from the United States, the European Union, the Netherlands, and 11 European countries including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

'''United States:''' multiple current and former officials have released public statements opposing the administration's policies with regard to arms transfers to Israel, lack of humanitarian access to Gaza, and other issues.

* Biden Admin staff letter<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/us/politics/israel-biden-letter-gaza-cease-fire.html}}</ref>; [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJQ4AsgjmgYdbvQ00HgAZ-dnO_cUuT_nn1nNElBrWQY/edit text] from November 2023
* USAID staff letter<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/over-1000-usaid-officials-call-gaza-ceasefire-letter-2023-11-10/}}</ref>
** former USAID mission directors<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.devex.com/news/ex-usaid-mission-directors-to-gaza-offer-advice-on-hamas-israel-conflict-106679}}</ref>
* Department of Homeland Security staff<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/13/letter-accuses-us-security-agency-of-turning-blind-eye-to-gaza-suffering}}</ref>
* Biden reelection campaign team<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/world/biden-staffers-letter-palestine/}}</ref> letter notes the negative impact the policy will likely have on Biden's reelection.
* Congressional staffers have also made several public statements.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/open-letter-congress-interns-cease-fire-calls-constituents_n_6577b56ee4b0881b79183900}}</ref>
* [https://rpcvsforpalestine.wordpress.com Peace Corps]
* [https://www.veteransforpeace.org/?cID=1341 Veterans for Peace]
* [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7176624439906705408-ZQtR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Former Officials] in diplomatic, development, and military leadership roles

In addition, formal internal dissent cables have been submitted. State Department dissent channel messages are not public<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/state-dept-israel-gaza-cease-fire.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/state-department-gaza-blinken-protest-b2525345.html}}</ref>

Three officials have publicly resigned over U.S. policy: Josh Paul (Department of State)<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/03/24/josh-paul-israel-gaza-dissent/}}</ref>; Annelle Sheline (Department of State)<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/27/opinions/gaza-israel-resigning-state-department-sheline/index.html}}</ref>; Tariq Habash (Department of Education)<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/03/biden-appointee-quits-israel-gaza/}}</ref>.

An informal group of current civil servants, [https://www.instagram.com/fedsunited4peace/ Feds United for Peace], represent views of employees across the U.S. government.

A group of current Congressional staffers for ceasefire represent those working in the US legislature.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://rollcall.com/2024/02/21/we-will-not-be-complicit-in-this-hill-staffers-challenge-their-bosses-on-gaza/#:~:text=Congressional%20Staff%20for%20a%20Ceasefire,aid%20agencies%20operating%20in%20Gaza.}}</ref>

'''The Netherlands:'''

Dutch civil servants have released [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdDs12Fo6C2SyzoPkWDQk-IlZEo6_NQb8_WEkGxkWqQBzK3A/viewform public] and internal statements. Former ambassadors have also released a [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mettegonggrijp_ceasefirenow-activity-7175858948820930562-FDw0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop statement].

Dutch Civil Servants protest weekly at the Foreign Ministry and take other public actions. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ambtenaren-en-de-grondwet-90/]

In addition, two senior diplomats resigned in protest: Angelique Eijpe and Berber van der Woude.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2024/02/not-in-my-name-former-civil-servants-on-resigning-over-israel-palestine-policy}}</ref>

'''Europe'''

* European Union staff statements<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://euobserver.com/eu-political/158009}}</ref> and protests
* Germany: civil servants demand policy change<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/4/7/german-civil-servants-demand-immediate-end-to-israeli-arms-supplies}}</ref>
* UK: civil servants stop work threat<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://news.sky.com/story/amp/civil-servants-threaten-to-stop-work-over-arms-sales-to-israel-13107895}}</ref>; this was partly based on the UK lawyers [https://lawyersletter.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Gaza-letter-FIN-3-April.pdf analysis] of the policy
* Austria: Austrian diplomats letter<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://x.com/martinkonecny/status/1778170020574408794?s=46}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 18:01, 12 April 2024

In response to official government positions supporting Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza after October 7, 2023, and out of concern that expert advice was being ignored, multiple groups of civil service staff members on both sides of the Atlantic have made their views known through internal dissent mechanisms and discussions with leadership. Other groups have also made public dissent known. Several have resigned their positions as a result of their government's positions. [See also International reactions to the Israel–Hamas war]

The Transatlantic Civil Servants’ Statement on Gaza is a public statement signed by over 800 currently serving officials in the United Stated and Europe which states that the policies of their governments during the Israel-Gaza war could amount to "grave violations of international law". The statement was released on February 2, 2024. Several of the organizers explained the statement to the press. [1][2][3][4][5] The identities of the signers were not made public for fear of repercussions. Reaction to the letter was mostly positive.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

The statement was organized by civil servants in the Netherlands and the United States. The signatories are civil servants from the United States, the European Union, the Netherlands, and 11 European countries including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

United States: multiple current and former officials have released public statements opposing the administration's policies with regard to arms transfers to Israel, lack of humanitarian access to Gaza, and other issues.

  • Biden Admin staff letter[12]; text from November 2023
  • USAID staff letter[13]
    • former USAID mission directors[14]
  • Department of Homeland Security staff[15]
  • Biden reelection campaign team[16] letter notes the negative impact the policy will likely have on Biden's reelection.
  • Congressional staffers have also made several public statements.[17]
  • Peace Corps
  • Veterans for Peace
  • Former Officials in diplomatic, development, and military leadership roles

In addition, formal internal dissent cables have been submitted. State Department dissent channel messages are not public[18][19]

Three officials have publicly resigned over U.S. policy: Josh Paul (Department of State)[20]; Annelle Sheline (Department of State)[21]; Tariq Habash (Department of Education)[22].

An informal group of current civil servants, Feds United for Peace, represent views of employees across the U.S. government.

A group of current Congressional staffers for ceasefire represent those working in the US legislature.[23]

The Netherlands:

Dutch civil servants have released public and internal statements. Former ambassadors have also released a statement.

Dutch Civil Servants protest weekly at the Foreign Ministry and take other public actions. [1]

In addition, two senior diplomats resigned in protest: Angelique Eijpe and Berber van der Woude.[24]

Europe

  • European Union staff statements[25] and protests
  • Germany: civil servants demand policy change[26]
  • UK: civil servants stop work threat[27]; this was partly based on the UK lawyers analysis of the policy
  • Austria: Austrian diplomats letter[28]

References

  1. ^ Wong, Edward; Stevis-Gridneff, Matina (February 2, 2024). "Over 800 Officials in U.S. and Europe Sign Letter Protesting Israel Policies". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ "US and EU civil servants call to end diplomatic support for Israel". EUobserver. February 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "Western officials in protest over Israel Gaza policy". BBC News. February 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "Over 800 Western Officials Denounce Pro-Israel Policies". TIME. February 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Krever, Mick (February 2, 2024). "More than 800 Western officials pen scathing criticism of Gaza policy". CNN.
  6. ^ https://twitter.com/Dave_Harden/status/1753770649128927315. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ https://twitter.com/MartinKonecny/status/1753414571295916053. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ https://www.arabnews.com/node/2461686. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ {{cite web}}: Empty citation (help)
  10. ^ https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/1753431537662488826. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ https://twitter.com/JVoiceLabour/status/1753426543051682045. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/us/politics/israel-biden-letter-gaza-cease-fire.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/over-1000-usaid-officials-call-gaza-ceasefire-letter-2023-11-10/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ https://www.devex.com/news/ex-usaid-mission-directors-to-gaza-offer-advice-on-hamas-israel-conflict-106679. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/13/letter-accuses-us-security-agency-of-turning-blind-eye-to-gaza-suffering. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ https://www.thenation.com/article/world/biden-staffers-letter-palestine/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/open-letter-congress-interns-cease-fire-calls-constituents_n_6577b56ee4b0881b79183900. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/state-dept-israel-gaza-cease-fire.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/state-department-gaza-blinken-protest-b2525345.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/03/24/josh-paul-israel-gaza-dissent/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/27/opinions/gaza-israel-resigning-state-department-sheline/index.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/03/biden-appointee-quits-israel-gaza/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ https://rollcall.com/2024/02/21/we-will-not-be-complicit-in-this-hill-staffers-challenge-their-bosses-on-gaza/#:~:text=Congressional%20Staff%20for%20a%20Ceasefire,aid%20agencies%20operating%20in%20Gaza. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ^ https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2024/02/not-in-my-name-former-civil-servants-on-resigning-over-israel-palestine-policy. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ https://euobserver.com/eu-political/158009. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ^ https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/4/7/german-civil-servants-demand-immediate-end-to-israeli-arms-supplies. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ https://news.sky.com/story/amp/civil-servants-threaten-to-stop-work-over-arms-sales-to-israel-13107895. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ https://x.com/martinkonecny/status/1778170020574408794?s=46. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

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