Brussels to partially halt research program with Israel

BRUSSELS – She wants this because Israel is not adhering to the agreements on human rights in the association agreement between the EU and Israel. EU member states still need to agree to the proposal.

EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas had agreed with Israel that more humanitarian aid would be allowed into Gaza due to the breach of the treaty. According to the Commission, Israel has taken some measures and there is a “humanitarian pause in the fighting in Gaza,” but the “situation remains serious,” she writes in a statement.

The Commission is talking about suspending the part of the Horizon research program that focuses on start-ups and small businesses. It has “no consequences for the participation of Israeli universities and researchers in collaborative projects and research activities,” writes the Commission. There has been significant protest at Dutch and other European universities against collaboration with Israeli universities.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof has already indicated that the Netherlands supports the cessation of Israeli participation in the research program. A so-called qualified majority is needed to implement the measure, meaning that a proposal must be supported by 55 percent of the 27 member states that together represent at least 65 percent of the EU population. It is still unclear when a vote will take place on this.

At the last meeting of EU foreign ministers two weeks ago, the member states were still divided over imposing sanctions on Israel. Kallas then indicated that there is a list of possible measures on the table, ranging from stopping the entire Horizon program with Israel to suspending trade benefits between the two. According to EU sources, the Commission is now deliberately opting for a mild measure to send a signal to Israel that it is willing to take steps without allowing the situation to escalate directly.

(July 28, 2025)