Belgium Announces Support for Partial Suspension of Israel’s Participation in Horizon Europe
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the country will vote for partially suspending Israel’s involvement in the EU’s flagship research program in response to actions in Gaza
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has announced that the country intends to support a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research program. This decision follows recent remarks by the European Commission, which stated that it would review collaboration under the program due to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The proposal is currently being prepared to be submitted to the EU Council of Ministers.
If approved, this would represent the first concrete European sanction targeting the Israeli government and its economic interests. Prévot emphasized that the move signals a turning point in EU-Israel relations and serves as a direct response to Israel’s violations of both the second article of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and its humanitarian obligations. He also called for increased pressure on Israel to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza.
The suspension would only apply to future project applications, meaning current projects that have already received funding will not be affected. Should a majority of EU member states back the plan, Israel could be blocked from accessing up to four hundred million euros in grants and investments. Meanwhile, Belgian university rectors are pushing for a complete suspension of the EU-Israel partnership agreement.
