The European Union is considering excluding Israel from one of its research programmes in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and after Israel did not increase its own humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
The European Commission is tabling a resolution to freeze Israel from the EU’s Horizon Research fund and has asked member states to chime in. It is the first time the Commission has moved against Israel since the conflict in Gaza escalated.
The decision will need a qualified majority rather than an absolute one. It means that despite Austria, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic still supporting Israel within the Horizon fund, there can be enough support from other countries to pass the resolution. Those in favour may still need a big country like Italy to vote to freeze Israel.
Among the most vocal countries in support of the resolution are the Netherlands, whose Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on social media that the country will push for additional European measures against Israel, most likely on trade. Schoof also mentioned that his government will take more decisive actions regardless of the EU.
The move to freeze out Israel from the research fund grew after Israel failed to comply with a previous deal made with the EU on humanitarian aid. In July, the bloc negotiated with Israel a significant increase in aid to Gaza and more protection for humanitarian personnel. However, Israel did not act on the deal. The possible exclusion may impact Israeli start-ups that work in “potential dual-use applications, such as cyber-security, drones and artificial intelligence,” as the Commission explained in a statement.
