The European Commission is seeking to partially exclude Israel from the bloc’s largest research and development program, Horizon Europe, in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Politico reports.
Israel’s military activity in Gaza could jeopardize its participation in the 95 billion euros research instrument, which it has been participating in as a partner country since 2021. It is the closest form of research cooperation between an EU country and third countries. The proposal to suspend Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe comes after the EU reviewed its cooperation agreement with the Middle Eastern country. The cooperation agreement allows for mutually beneficial bilateral relations. A review conducted in June revealed serious human rights violations in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The EC said after the meeting on the 28th of July: “While Israel has announced a daily humanitarian pause in Gaza fighting and has met some of its commitments under the common understanding on humanitarian aid and access, the situation remains severe.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded by calling the planned suspension of Horizon Europe membership wrong and unjust,
and warned that it would only strengthen Hamas and undermine the chances of achieving peace.
The suspension of Israel’s membership will apply to the attraction of funds from the European Innovation Council (EIC), a 10.1 billion euros sub-programme of Horizon Europe. Israeli institutions participating in the EIC accelerator, which gives the EC a share of research and materially large technology start-ups, will be directly affected. The Commission has informed that the technologies being developed with EIC support have potential dual applications, for example in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
EU countries are increasingly condemning Israel after a UN report on the famine raging in Gaza, affecting both children and adults. However, Israeli universities and researchers receiving funding from the more traditional Horizon Europe sub-programmes will retain all the previous opportunities and benefits.
The EC decision still needs to be approved by a majority of EU countries.
Read also: Israel declares “tactical pause” in Gaza