Newsletters
The European Commission on Monday proposed a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and development program, citing concerns over humanitarian obligations in Gaza.
The proposed move would restrict Israel’s access to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, a funding tool that supports startups and small businesses developing disruptive technologies, particularly those with potential dual-use applications such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and drones.
The decision stems from a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which stipulates that respect for human rights and democratic principles forms the foundation of bilateral cooperation.
“Respect for these obligations constitutes an essential part of EU-Israel cooperation under the Agreement, including for bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between the two parties,” the commission said in a statement.
While noting that Israel has announced daily humanitarian pauses in its military campaign and taken some steps to improve aid access to Gaza, the Commission said the humanitarian situation remains dire.
The Commission emphasized that the proposed measure is “targeted and reversible” and will not affect Israeli universities or researchers involved in Horizon Europe collaborative research projects.
The suspension proposal will be sent to the Council of the European Union and requires approval by a qualified majority of member states to take effect.
Israel became an associated country in Horizon Europe in 2021, granting it equal footing with EU member states in the €95.5 billion program, in which it has also made financial contributions.
Launched in 2021, Horizon Europe aims to drive economic growth, technological advancement, and job creation across the EU and its partner nations.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, in force since 2000, underpins political, cultural, scientific, and economic cooperation between the two sides.
1 min read
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza for 18 years and, since March 2, has shut down all crossings, worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave. Rejecting international calls for a cease-fire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing nearly 60,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
3 min read
