Brussels: The European Commission has proposed a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the EU’s €80 billion Horizon Europe research program, citing the severe and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The move, if approved by member states, would mark the first time a country has ever been suspended from the prestigious science initiative.
The proposal comes as global condemnation intensifies over Israel’s handling of aid and humanitarian access in the besieged Gaza Strip, where famine is now officially underway.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the world’s top authority on food crises, confirmed that the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in Gaza.
In its seven-page proposal, presented to EU ambassadors, the Commission outlines dire conditions in Gaza, stating that 90 percent of households face severe water insecurity, malnutrition is rapidly rising, and there are acute shortages of medicine.
It notes that virtually the entire Gaza population is at risk of famine, and cites Israel’s drastic restrictions on humanitarian aid shipments and the lack of security for humanitarian organizations as key contributing factors.
We have proposed to partially suspend Israel’s participation to Horizon Europe, specifically concerning the participation of entities established in Israel in activities funded under the Accelerator of the European Innovation Council.
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) July 29, 2025
Although Israel has claimed that over 200 aid trucks were distributed on Tuesday, with another 260 awaiting collection, EU officials argue this is still well below the pre-war daily average of 500 trucks. The Commission says the humanitarian emergency now provides a legal basis under Article 79 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement to suspend Israel’s participation.
During a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Tuesday, more than 20 member states expressed serious concerns about the situation in Gaza. However, there was agreement to clarify technical details and revisit the proposal soon.
To pass, the partial suspension requires a qualified majority, meaning support from at least 15 member states representing 65 percent of the EU population. The proposed suspension would not completely sever Israel’s ties to Horizon Europe, but would specifically limit its access to the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Israel has been one of the program’s top performers, receiving approximately €200 million of the €900 million allocated since 2021. This includes around €135 million in research grants and €65 million in equity investments, with 46 Israeli companies currently participating in EIC initiatives.
The Horizon Europe program, launched in 2021, is one of the most prestigious and well-funded science research initiatives in the world. While the UK was blocked from Horizon for three years following Brexit, until rejoining in 2024, this would mark the first time a member country is suspended for humanitarian grounds.
The Commission said the suspension aligns with its ongoing review of the EU-Israel trade association agreement, initiated in May following a request by the Netherlands and supported by 17 other member states.
