Leaders of European Union institutions have received a stark warning from their own staff that starvation in Gaza is set to exponentially increase without immediate action to press Israel to allow massive amounts of aid into the enclave.
The letter, signed by around 1,600 EU staff, uses simplified modelling methods to highlight that Gaza is on course to surpass 100 starvation-related deaths per day. Initially sent two weeks ago and now obtained by The National, it echoes warnings made by international humanitarian organisations.
“The continuing blockade of food, baby formula, and medical supplies in Gaza is not only a profound humanitarian tragedy, but also a defining test of our Union’s moral and political foundations, principles without which the European project itself loses its meaning and legitimacy,” read the letter, addressed to EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.
The letter’s signatories represent only a fraction of the overall number of employees at EU institutions – the EU Commission alone employs more than 30,000 people. The Commission has warned that letters sent by staff to their hierarchy must not be made public and that it would actively assess breaches of employees’ obligations. EU staff are civil servants bound to neutrality.
‘Time is running out’
Yet frustration is growing among staff over the EU’s inability to pressure Israel into allowing more aid into Gaza. News website Politico has reported that staff wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “say no to genocide” were recently escorted out of the European Council’s canteen during a charity sale.
Requests to engage with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have so far not been met with a substantive response, The National understands. In January, the Commission responded to a request sent in October – backed by more than 1,800 staff – to discuss concerns in the EU’s response to the war in Gaza by saying she had no time to do so.
A Commission spokesperson told The National they were looking into the letter dated July 29. “Staff members have the opportunity to express their views on various subjects, and the hierarchy is there to listen to that,” said spokesman Balazs Ujvari. “But again, this has to be separated from a potential impact on the formulation of EU foreign policy, which is done in a very different fashion, formulated by the member states.”
Israel has not upheld its part of a deal struck by Ms Kallas in July to increase aid into the enclave, the letter said.
“Israel cannot be allowed to disdain yet another agreement and disrespecting the European Union,” it said. “The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner and, as such, it has considerable leverage to insist on compliance with international humanitarian law,” it added.
Some countries, such as Finland and Sweden, have expressed support for the suspension of trade preferences, which would likely hurt Israel economically. The Commission has yet to table a proposal reflecting this request, which would require a qualified majority vote.
More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 in which around 1,200 died. Ceasefire negotiations appear to be going nowhere. Israel now plans to reoccupy Gaza.
The letter warned that without an immediate and substantial restoration of food aid, the situation would rapidly worsen in the embattled enclave. “Famines don’t follow a linear trajectory, but they rather accelerate, often resembling exponential phenomena,” it said.
Child malnutrition, which affected 12,000 children in Gaza in July, can have lifelong consequences including stunted brain development. “Time is running out,” the letter added.
So far, the EU remains unable to muster enough political backing from its 27 member states to take any of the measures suggested by Ms Kallas, including a partial suspension of Israel from a flagship research programme. In June, her services established that Israel, in its conduct in Gaza, had breached a human rights clause enshrined in the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Taking no action is a violation of the EU’s own rules, argue those that support sanctions. Yet despite increasing criticism of Israel, the EU remains deeply divided. Germany views its support of Israel as a “reason of state” due to its responsibility in the Holocaust. Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic are also among those have rejected proposals to suspend, in whole or in part, the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
‘EU must act’
Israel has warned that the bloc would play no role in Gaza, should it move forward with sanctions. Israel has also accused countries that have taken decisions at national level of anti-Semitism. It has claimed that Hamas steals food in Gaza, an explanation which has been described as unconvincing by some European politicians, including in Germany. Berlin has recently suspended weapons exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza.
The EU has a number of options on the table, according to the letter, but they would also require significant political will. They include suspending all diplomatic relations with Israel and sanctions against top Israeli leaders. Slovenia and the Netherlands have recently declared two far-right cabinet members persona non grata, but unanimous support would be needed from the EU’s 27 for that decision to be replicated at EU level.
“Although in the discussion on the EU-Israel Association Agreement, some member states have sided with Israel and hindered the possibility to suspend the agreement, the European Union can and must act independently in other avenues,” the letter said.
Meanwhile, hunger-related deaths are rising and the Gaza strip continues to face starvation, the UN said in a humanitarian update published Wednesday, with eight people reportedly dying in the past 24 hours. On August 10, NGO Save the Children said that 100 Gazan children had died of starvation since the start of the war.
The situation can no longer be described as a looming hunger crisis, said OCHA’s director of the co-ordination division, Ramesh Rajasingham, in a briefing to the UN Security Council on Gaza. “This is starvation, pure and simple,” he added.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsProfile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45′)
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16′, Lulic 73′, Cataldi 90 4′)
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
“Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C108hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C340Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%20(front%20axle)%3B%20two-speed%20transmission%20(rear%20axle)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh928%2C400%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOrders%20open%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Yahya Al Ghassani’s bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsRacecard
%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20The%20Madjani%20Stakes%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(PA)%20Dh97%2C500%20(Dirt)%201%2C900m%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Graduate%20Stakes%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20Dh100%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Longines%20Dolcevita%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Longines%20Legend%20Driver%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Longines%20Master%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh105%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Longines%20Record%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh87%2C500%20(D)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Longines%20Spirit%20Collection%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh87%2C500%20(D)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 – Dh329,000
On sale: now
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
‘Shakuntala Devi’
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick “walls” of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsKalra’s feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams