Belgium to vote in favour of partial Horizon Europe suspension for Israel

5 August 2025

Belgium will vote in favour of partially suspending Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research programme, Foreign minister Maxime Prévot has confirmed.

Last week, the Commission announced that it would review its cooperation with Israel within Horizon over its actions in Gaza. The position will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers.

If passed, the measure would be the first concrete European sanction against the Israeli government and its economic interests.

“This decision marks a turning point in relations between the European Union and Israel and is a concrete response to the Israeli government’s violations of both Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and humanitarian obligations towards the EU,” Prévot said.

“We call on the Commission to quickly come up with other concrete proposals for measures within the association agreement. Pressure on the Israeli government must be stepped up to ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.”

"This decision marks a turning point in relations between the European Union and Israel"

He also called for Hamas to release the Israeli hostages it is still holding, immediately and without conditions. “Respect for human rights is and remains non-negotiable,” he said.

The Commission presented the proposal at the end of July. Under the measure, it would no longer finance start-ups and SMEs based in Israel that want to bring “disruptive technologies” to the market through its EIC Accelerator.

Universities call for suspension of EU-Israel association agreement

Belgian universities have called on the European Union to suspend its association agreement with Israel. On Wednesday, the Flemish Interuniversity...

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Since 2021, Israeli companies and institutions have received around 900 million euros in funding through Horizon Europe, of which 200 million was distributed among 46 companies through the EIC programme.

The suspension only applies to future applications. Projects that have already received funding would retain it. Such disruptive technologies are typically suitable for dual use, for both military and civilian purposes.

Member states still have to give the green light to the proposal. This requires a qualified majority – 55 per cent of the states representing 65 per cent of the population. If the measure is approved, Israel would lose access to an estimated 400 million euros in subsidies and investment aid.

'Purely symbolic'

Meanwhile, the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), which brings together the rectors of Flemish universities, is “very disappointed” with the slow response of the European Commission.

“Without the cooperation of the member states, the Commission can do little,” they said. “The proposal to exclude Israeli researchers from only a small part of Horizon Europe is purely symbolic.”

Alongside its French-speaking counterpart, CRef, VLIR has been calling for the immediate suspension of the entire EU-Israel Association Agreement, citing “massive and objectively documented human rights violations” by the Israeli army.

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