EU's Israel Research Program Suspension Blocked by Member States
EU officials have raised concerns about Israel's progress in implementing humanitarian measures in Gaza, leading to a proposal to suspend Israel's participation in the Horizon Europe research program. The move, however, has faced resistance from several EU member states.
The European Commission proposed suspending Israeli start-ups and businesses from the Horizon Europe program due to Israel's alleged failure to meet agreed humanitarian obligations in Gaza. The proposal targeted sectors involving disruptive innovations with potential dual-use applications, aiming to halt Israeli access to around €200 million in future grants.
The EU Council was set to decide on the proposal through a qualified majority procedure, with Germany and Italy's votes being crucial. However, the proposal failed to gain the required majority, with Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Czechia either opposing or abstaining. The divide among EU states on policy towards Israel during the Gaza conflict was evident in this decision.
The European Commission's proposal to partially suspend Israel's participation in Horizon Europe has been blocked by a lack of support from key EU member states. Germany and Italy, whose votes are pivotal, have called for further scrutiny of the proposal. The fate of the proposal remains uncertain, with discussions and assessments ongoing as of September 2025.
