Israel Faces Suspension of EU Funding Amid Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Israel’s participation in the European Innovation Council (EIC) is set to be suspended as concerns grow over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The European Commission highlighted on Monday that while Israel has initiated a daily humanitarian pause in hostilities and met some commitments regarding humanitarian aid, the circumstances remain dire, reports 24brussels.
The suspension targets the EIC, a €10.1 billion initiative under Horizon Europe, particularly impacting Israeli entities engaged in the EIC Accelerator program. This program enables the Commission to invest in tech startups that are heavily research-oriented and capital-intensive.
The Commission noted that technologies developed under the EIC Accelerator possess potential dual-use applications, relevant in sectors such as cybersecurity, drone technology, and artificial intelligence.
In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations reporting severe malnutrition among children and adults in Gaza, EU nations have increased their criticism of Israel’s actions.
It should be noted that Israeli universities and researchers benefiting from more conventional Horizon Europe programs will not be affected by this suspension.
The decision still requires approval from a qualified majority of EU member states to be enacted.
