On the evening of Monday 28 July (see EUROPE 13689/21), the European Commission proposed suspending the participation of entities established in Israel in activities financed by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, “on account of a material breach by Israel of Article 2 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, and as a matter of special urgency, with immediate effect given the risk of a severe further deterioration of the humanitarian situation on the ground” in Gaza.
The EIC Accelerator supports, through grants or capital investment, companies that are implementing disruptive technologies and are on the verge of bringing them to market. According to a European source, since the start of Horizon Europe in 2021, Israel has received more than €900 million in support, including around €200 million for the EIC (€135 million in grants and €65 million for capital investments).
The suspension, if implemented, will not affect the participation of Israeli universities and researchers in collaborative projects and research activities, in particular the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “The functioning (of Horizon Europe) will not be disproportionately affected insofar as (the suspension) is not aimed at EU-Israel cooperation and dialogue in the field of research, technological development and demonstration”, the Commission states in its proposal. What’s more, this suspension would only affect the future eligibility of participants based in the Jewish state, and not current commitments.
The proposed measure is “appropriate and proportionate, responding to breaches of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, given that support from the EIC Accelerator is provided at a high level of technological readiness”, the Commission states in its proposal.
First discussion between Member States. To be adopted, the proposal must be approved by the EU Council by a qualified majority, i.e. 55% of the countries (15 out of 27 Member States), representing at least 65% of the population.
In May, 17 Member States requested a review of Article 2 of the Association Agreement with Israel and the preparation of options (see EUROPE 13644/1). Among the measures proposed is the suspension of participation in Horizon Europe (see EUROPE 13679/13). These 17 Member States alone will not be enough to adopt the measure.
The Commission’s proposal was discussed on Tuesday by the Member States’ ambassadors to the EU. No vote was taken, as delegations were still analysing the Commission’s proposal from the previous day. More than 20 delegations took the floor.
Ten Member States (Belgium, Spain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden) are said to be in favour of the measure. Some are said to even have liked additional measures, such as the suspension of the trade section of the EU/Israel Association Agreement or trade measures against products from the settlements.
Four Member States are reportedly sceptical about the measure (Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech Republic). They are concerned that the measure will hamper the necessary dialogue with the Israeli authorities.
Several delegations stressed the need for a more in-depth analysis of the proposal in the light of developments in Gaza in the coming days. Germany and Italy, who did not support the request to revise Article 2 in May, are still analysing the proposal.
On the basis of the discussion, the Danish Presidency of the EU Council concluded that it will monitor the situation very closely and continue discussions with the EU delegations and institutions. The relevant EU Council working group is due to clarify the technical issues over the next few days.
The Member States’ ambassadors to the EU remain seized of the matter and the Member States could be asked to vote on the proposal if a qualified majority is achieved. If adopted, the suspension would take effect thirty calendar days after the date of its notification to the EU/Israel Association Council.
Israel denounces the proposal. On Monday evening, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the Commission’s “recommendation” to “compromise” Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe, describing it as “mistaken, regrettable and unjustified”, warning that Israel “will work to ensure that this recommendation is not adopted by the Member States”. “At a time when the Israel Defence Forces are fighting ‘jihadist terrorism’ in the Gaza Strip, Brussels’ move only serves to strengthen Hamas and therefore undermines the chances of reaching a ceasefire and a framework for the release of hostages”, he added in his statement, explaining that his country would not yield to pressure when it came to its national interests.
To see the Commission’s proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/i1i
The Netherlands bans two extremist ministers from its territory. In addition, after Slovenia (see EUROPE 13683/28), on Monday the Netherlands banned two extreme right-wing Israeli ministers from entering its territory: Bezalel Smotrich (Finance) and Itamar Ben Gvir (National Security).
In a letter to Dutch MPs quoted by the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp explained that the measure was due to “the repeated incitement (by these ministers) of settlers to violence against the Palestinian population and their call for ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)