Israel faces potential international isolation, cautions Wadephul
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a contentious issue on the international stage, with ongoing efforts and sanctions primarily focused on Israel. These initiatives, however, are fraught with debate within the European Union and unrelated sanctions on Palestinian leadership by the U.S. State Department.
The European Commission has proposed a significant move to suspend Israel from parts of Horizon Europe, a major EU research and innovation funding program. This proposal aims to block Israel from receiving new European Innovation Council Accelerator grants, worth nearly €170 million, which have supported Israeli startups, including sensitive dual-use technologies such as drones. The Commission's suspension is in response to alleged violations of human rights conditions in Israel's association agreement with the EU.
However, this proposal has not gained full support among EU member states. Key countries like Germany are reluctant to implement scientific sanctions against Israel, causing a stall in advancing the plan. EU officials have indicated that discussions will continue with caution, signaling no immediate action on suspending Israel from Horizon Europe or applying broader sanctions at this time.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced sanctions against Palestinian organizations, including the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority, related to issues around the global statehood push of Palestine. These sanctions are directed at Palestinian leadership entities and do not target Israel.
In summary, while the EU is considering limited scientific/innovation funding suspensions, no comprehensive, broadly supported international sanctions addressing the Gaza humanitarian situation are currently in effect. The actions relating to Palestinian groups reflect different diplomatic priorities.
Recently, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Israel for political talks. During his visit, he urged the Israeli government to allow humanitarian and medical aid to pass through the land border, called for a ceasefire in Gaza, and expressed concern over the starving population in the Gaza Strip. Wadephul also called for a fundamental improvement in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and urged Hamas to release hostages and end hostage-taking.
As the Middle East peace process remains at a crossroads, discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah are expected to cover increasing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, as well as considerations in Israel to annex the West Bank. The federal government strictly rejects the annexation of the West Bank.
This overview is based on the latest information from late July 2025. The international community continues to grapple with finding a lasting solution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza while navigating the complex web of diplomatic relations in the region.
[1] European Commission Proposal: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/1_en_act_part1_v12_20250722_final.pdf [2] U.S. State Department Sanctions: https://www.state.gov/palestinian-liberation-organization-plo-and-palestinian-authority-pa-designated-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations/
- The European Commission's proposal to suspend Israel from parts of Horizon Europe, a major EU research and innovation funding program, over alleged human rights violations, has generated debate within the general news landscape, with key members like Germany expressing reluctance towards scientific sanctions against Israel.
- Meanwhile, the politics of the Middle East continue to evolve, as shown by the U.S. State Department's announcement of sanctions against Palestinian organizations, such as the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority, unrelated to Israel, a move that has further complicated the war-and-conflicts situation in the region.
