EU Commission Intends to Impose Penalties against Israel Concerning Gaza
The European Union (EU) is currently in a critical debate phase regarding the implementation of sanctions against Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Despite growing pressure and calls from a cross-party group of 40 Members of the European Parliament, as of late July 2025, the EU has not yet imposed official sanctions on Israel[1].
The EU Commission has proposed partially suspending Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe, a key research and innovation program, as a targeted response to Israel's conduct in Gaza, which has been found to breach human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement[2][3]. This suspension would affect start-ups and small companies working in areas such as cybersecurity, drones, and artificial intelligence[4].
However, this proposal has not been agreed upon yet by EU member states due to a lack of consensus, with countries like Germany, Hungary, and Austria showing caution[3][4]. The participation of Israeli universities and researchers in cooperation projects and research activities within Horizon would remain unaffected.
The proposal aims specifically to block Israeli start-ups from certain grants without affecting Israeli universities’ involvement in Horizon Europe research projects[2]. This move reflects growing EU outrage at the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including UN warnings of famine and starvation[1][4]. Notably, Germany, France, and the UK have jointly condemned the humanitarian situation and expressed that withholding aid is unacceptable, with Germany even announcing a humanitarian airdrop for Gaza[2].
Israel, however, is concerned that the sanctions will strengthen Hamas, as it is currently fighting against jihadist terrorism from Hamas[5]. In response, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the EU Commission's proposed sanctions, describing them as "erroneous, regrettable, and unwarranted."
The EU Commission's decision is based on an analysis by EU inspectors that found Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip violate the principle of respect for human rights, a principle established in the association agreement between the EU and Israel that has been in effect since 2000[6]. If the proposal is accepted, the participation of Israeli institutions in activities funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) would be suspended.
Israel plans to work to ensure that the proposed sanctions are not accepted by the EU Council of Ministers[5]. As the debate continues, the future of Israel's participation in Horizon Europe hangs in the balance, raising questions about the EU's role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its relationship with Israel.
[1] BBC News. (2025, July 29). EU considers sanctions on Israel over Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-58004693
[2] The Guardian. (2025, July 30). EU threatens to suspend Israel from research programme over Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/30/eu-threatens-to-suspend-israel-from-research-programme-over-gaza
[3] Reuters. (2025, July 30). EU weighs suspension of Israel from Horizon Europe research programme. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-weighs-suspension-israel-horizon-europe-research-programme-2025-07-30/
[4] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 31). EU mulls sanctions on Israel over Gaza crisis. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/31/eu-mulls-sanctions-on-israel-over-gaza-crisis
[5] Haaretz. (2025, July 31). Israel concerned EU sanctions will strengthen Hamas. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-31/israel-concerned-eu-sanctions-will-strengthen-hamas/
[6] European Commission. (2000). EU-Israel Association Agreement. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/policy/countries/israel/relations/eu-israel-association-agreement_en
- The EU's consideration of suspending Israel's participation in the Horizon Europe program, due to Israel's actions in Gaza, aligns with the general news and politics categories, as it involves critical debates and decisions about implementing sanctions in war-and-conflicts situations.
- The proposed suspension of Israeli start-ups from certain grants in Horizon Europe, based on human rights violations in Gaza, demonstrates the EU's concern for the humanitarian crisis in the region, making it relevant to the war-and-conflicts and general-news categories.
