Brussels (EFE).- The European Commission on Monday proposed a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the European Union’s Horizon Europe scientific program, citing violations of human rights in Gaza. The decision follows an internal review and will be discussed by EU ambassadors in Brussels on Tuesday.
According to the Commission, the move responds to Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which makes respect for human rights a fundamental condition of cooperation between the two parties.
“The situation in Gaza remains grave,” said the Commission in a statement. “Although Israel has announced daily humanitarian pauses and fulfilled some commitments regarding aid access, more is needed.”
The proposal was approved by a wide majority during an extraordinary hybrid meeting of the College of Commissioners.
EU sources told EFE that “the debate was intense and frank, and it became clear that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands a response.”
Suspension targets innovation funding
The proposed suspension specifically affects Israeli entities involved in projects funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, which support startups and small businesses developing technologies with potential dual-use applications.
That includes areas such as cybersecurity, drones, and artificial intelligence.
“This is a targeted and reversible measure,” the Commission clarified, stressing that the proposal does not affect the participation of Israeli universities or researchers in broader Horizon Europe collaborative research projects.
Israel joined Horizon Europe in 2021 as an associated country, granting its researchers the same access to funding as EU member states.
It also contributes financially to the program.
For the suspension to take effect, it must be approved by a qualified majority of EU member states in the Council of the EU.
First concrete EU action over Gaza conflict
This marks the first concrete step proposed by Brussels in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
It follows weeks of deliberations and growing calls for accountability, particularly from countries like Spain.
On Jul. 10, the EU reached a deal with Israel to ease the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
However, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas presented a list of ten possible punitive measures against Israel on Jul. 15, including arms embargoes and sanctions on officials, amid concerns over human rights violations.
At the time, most EU states opted to wait for the humanitarian agreement to show results before moving forward, despite opposition from Spain and others.
Speaking recently, European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera accused Israel of carrying out “intentional starvation” of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, signed in 1995 and in force since 2000, governs political, scientific, and trade relations between the two sides. EFE
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