EU government veteran falsely accused of espionage for Israel, fired from diplomatic service

An attorney and longstanding EU official (called “Eva” for her own protection) was targeted by her employer—the European External Action Service (EEAS), the diplomatic service and combined foreign and defense ministry of the European Union—with entirely unsubstantiated rumors that she was engaged in espionage on behalf of the State of Israel. The goal of this campaign was clear: to remove Eva from her role in the Middle East peace process. Allegations that she was leaking confidential information were documented and spread widely despite no evidence to support the claims.

Eva underwent years of merciless disciplinary processes at the EEAS before the allegations of espionage mysteriously disappeared (while not being formally retracted). Then, new charges of misconduct surfaced—including absenteeism and failure to perform one's duties—again with no supporting evidence. Nevertheless, these charges served as the basis for withholding Eva's salary and, ultimately, dismissing her from the EEAS, despite her successfully demonstrating that the charges were completely unfounded. When Eva sought help from outside Jewish organizations, the EEAS ignored the numerous calls to properly investigate the situation and criticized Eva for her alleged disloyalty in raising "baseless and false" claims of antisemitism.

With the assistance of The Lawfare Project, Eva is now pursuing claims against the EEAS before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In addition to a favorable outcome for Eva, the case seeks to address the systemic and mainstreamed anti-Semitism within the EEAS.