The European Commission has taken the unprecedented step of excluding Israel from its flagship Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, following mounting concerns over human rights violations in the Palestinian territories.
The decision, announced on Monday, marks a significant escalation in tensions between Brussels and Jerusalem, with the EU citing "serious breaches of international humanitarian law" as the primary reason for Israel's suspension from the €95.5 billion programme.
Why Israel Faces Exclusion
Sources within the Commission revealed that the move comes after:
- Multiple UN reports documenting alleged war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank
- Failure to comply with EU requests for human rights impact assessments
- Ongoing settlement expansion deemed illegal under international law
Impact on Scientific Collaboration
The suspension deals a major blow to Israeli researchers and institutions that have benefited significantly from EU funding:
- Israel contributed €1.2 billion to Horizon 2020 (2014-2020)
- Received €1.4 billion in research grants during the same period
- Participated in over 5,000 collaborative projects
European universities and tech firms now face uncertainty about existing partnerships with Israeli counterparts.
Political Reactions
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials, with Science Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen calling it "a politically motivated attack on Israeli academia".
Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities and human rights groups have welcomed the move as "long overdue" and "a step toward accountability".
What Happens Next?
The Commission has stated that Israel's participation could be reinstated if:
- Concrete steps are taken to address human rights concerns
- International law violations cease
- New safeguards for EU-funded research are implemented
Analysts suggest this decision could have far-reaching consequences for EU-Israel relations beyond scientific cooperation.
