The European Commission has proposed partially suspending Israel from its £80 billion Horizon science research program due to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where experts warn famine is now occurring.
This comes amid global criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, including remarks from Donald Trump urging Israel to do more to prevent “real starvation.” On Tuesday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading authority on food crises, stated that the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently unfolding” in Gaza.
At a meeting of EU ambassadors on Tuesday, more than 20 member states raised “serious concerns” about the situation in Gaza while discussing the proposal. Some countries immediately supported the suspension, though a few worried it could “hamper dialogue” with Israel, according to a diplomat. Member states agreed to work quickly with the commission to clarify technical details before revisiting the proposal.
Horizon Europe is one of the world’s most prestigious research programs and has never suspended a country before. However, officials argue the extreme humanitarian crisis in Gaza provides legal grounds for action.
The commission’s proposal highlights that “90% of households face severe water insecurity, malnutrition rates are rising sharply,” and there are “severe shortages of medicine,” with “virtually the entire Gaza population at risk of famine.”
The IPC noted that humanitarian aid remains “largely insufficient,” citing Israel’s “drastic restrictions” on aid shipments and unsafe conditions for aid workers in Gaza. Israel has blamed food shortages on UN distribution failures and Hamas diverting aid—claims repeatedly disputed.
On Tuesday, Israel said over 200 aid trucks were collected and distributed by the UN and international organizations, with another 260 awaiting distribution. However, this falls far short of pre-war levels, when an average of 500 trucks entered Gaza daily—before months of malnutrition, widespread displacement, and the collapse of agriculture.
EU officials acknowledged recent aid increases but stressed they lack access to verify deliveries and called for more entry points and distribution centers.
If approved, the suspension would block Israel from the European Innovation Council (EIC), a key Horizon program segment focused on disruptive technologies. Israel has been highly successful in the program, receiving around €200 million (£173 million) of the €900 million allocated since 2021, including €135 million in grants and €65 million in equity investments. Currently, 46 Israeli companies participate in the EIC.
The commission stated that while Israel has announced daily humanitarian pauses and met some commitments, “the situation remains severe.” The proposed suspension follows a review of the EU-Israel trade agreement, initiated after the Netherlands and 17 other countries called for reassessment in May.
Officials said the partial suspension could be enacted under Article 79 of the Euro-Mediterranean agreement if deemed “proportionate.” A seven-page proposal was presented to EU ambassadors in Brussels, who are also discussing the EU-US trade deal.
For approval, the EU needs a qualified majority—support from about 15 member states representing 65% of the bloc’s population. This would likely require Germany’s backing.The move came after senior EU officials described last week’s ambassadors’ meeting on humanitarian aid as “heated,” noting a “special urgency” to present this proposal.
While the UK was excluded from Horizon for three years following Brexit before rejoining in 2024, officials clarified that this situation differs from a suspension.
