The twenty -seven have not supported, for the moment, on Tuesday the proposal of the Community Executive of Punish Israel with partial exclusion In the Horizon Community Scientific Program, for the situation in Gaza.
As confirmed to EFE several community sources, during the meeting of European ambassadors The necessary majority was not achievedfrom 15 countries, which would have allowed us to move forward with the initiative of the Community Executive.
Although there are many member states that are in favor of this proposal, such as Spain, Others need time to study it in detail In light of evolution in the field, while a third group expressed skepticism.
Given this division between the European capitals, the EU institutions and the Member States will continue the dialogue with the Israeli representatives and The relevant working group will quickly analyze the commission’s proposal to clarify technical issues in the next few days.
The European Commission considered Tuesday that its proposal to limit Israel’s participation in the community scientific program, which potentially supports the development of civil and military technologies, It is “proportionate” and “adequate” before its “material” violation of human rights in Gaza.
“We have considered that Israel materially violates this obligation and, therefore, also taking into account the serious humanitarian situation, urges adopt appropriate and provided measures, and These measures would take the form of a partial suspension of the Israeli Association to Horizon Europe ”explained a senior community official who requested anonymity.
On Monday, the commission proposed to the Member States that Entities located in Israel can no longer benefit from the support of the European Innovation Councilwhich grants subsidies of up to 2.5 million euros or capital investment of up to 15 million to companies dedicated to producing disruptive technologies and are close to introducing them into the market.
The ‘yes’ of 15 countries was necessary
Since Israel joined the European Horizon program, it has benefited from some 900 million euros. The community sources stressed that the measure they propose and presented on Tuesday to the ambassadors of the twenty -seven is “proportionate” because it refers to a program that is responsible for double -use technologies within Europe Horizon.
In order for partial suspension to be effective, it is necessary that a qualified majority of EU countries support it, 55 % of the Member States, which means 15 countries that represent at least 65 % of the population.
This proposal comes after a majority of Member States asked the commission to examine whether Israel complied with its obligations Under article 2 of his association agreement with the EUin force since 2000, related to respect for human rights, given the situation in Gaza.
The maximum representative of community diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, presented on July 15 the Foreign Ministers of the Twenty -seven A menu of ten possible measures against Tel-Aviv for their blockade of humanitarian aid, among those that were from sanctions to Israeli ministers to the embargo of arms.
