EU proposes partial suspension
Israel from Horizon Europe amid Gaza conflict
International News Desk
According to global times News Agency Europe,The European Commission has proposed partially suspending Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe, the EU’s multibillion-euro research program, due to the situation in Gaza, according to EU spokesperson Thomas Rainier, The Global times Europe media.This suspension comes as a reaction to the review Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Rainier said.If approved, Israeli entities established in Israel would lose access to around €200 million under the program. The suspension would affect Israeli organizations involved in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, which supports startups and small companies with breakthrough innovations and dual-use technologies such as cybersecurity, drones, and artificial intelligence. However, Israeli universities and researchers will still be allowed to participate in joint projects and research activities under Horizon Europe.The EU stated that although Israel announced daily humanitarian pauses in Gaza and has partially fulfilled commitments related to humanitarian aid and access, the situation remains dire.At a July 28 conference on Palestine at the UN headquarters in New York, organized by the UN alongside France and Saudi Arabia, EU Commissioner Dubravka Suica reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a lasting Middle East peace based on a two-state solution under international law.We want to see Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders,” Suica said.Regarding Gaza, she urged Israel to lift the blockade, allow more humanitarian aid trucks, open additional crossing points for aid delivery, and ensure safe, unhindered distribution of food and fuel locally.Suica also emphasized the need to support the Palestinian Authority, stating that a two-state solution can only be achieved through its reform.We welcome the announcement of presidential and general elections within a year across the Palestinian territories and the adoption of the awaited party law to this end,” she said, adding that the EU will allocate €1.6 billion over the next three years to support the Palestinian Authority.