EU Funding for Israeli Entities Amid Gaza Conflict

International News Department 18-12-2024

Israeli organizations, including those linked to military technology, have secured over $250 million in EU funding since the war in Gaza began.

On October 7, following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, the European Union (EU) swiftly expressed support for Israel. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense, reinforcing the EU’s alignment with Israel through symbolic gestures and statements.

Despite accusations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and ongoing investigations at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the EU has continued collaborating with Israeli entities under the Horizon research and innovation program. This initiative has awarded Israeli institutions substantial grants, totaling over 238 million euros ($250 million) since October 7. Among the recipients is Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a defense contractor supplying the Israeli military, which received 640,000 euros ($674,000).

While Horizon framework rules specify that funded projects must focus on civilian applications, many technologies developed under this scheme have potential military uses. These dual-use technologies, permissible under EU guidelines, have raised ethical concerns. Critics argue that such funding indirectly enhances Israel’s military capabilities.

Over the years, EU support for Israeli research has been substantial. Under the Horizon 2020 program (2014–2020), Israeli organizations received 1.28 billion euros ($1.35 billion). Horizon Europe, launched in 2021, has already allocated over 747 million euros ($786 million) to Israeli entities.

Prominent beneficiaries include IAI and Elbit Systems, a defense company closely tied to Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Both companies have been involved in projects with ostensibly civilian purposes, such as disaster management and border security. Critics contend that these technologies may later serve military objectives, circumventing EU ethical safeguards.

In light of the war in Gaza, over 2,000 European academics and 45 organizations petitioned the EU to terminate funding for Israeli institutions. They argued that these collaborations indirectly contribute to human rights violations by advancing military technologies. However, the EU has not taken action on this demand.

Israeli institutions have also participated in AI-based projects that critics say could be used in military operations. For instance, research funded by Horizon programs has supported advancements in drone technology, surveillance systems, and interrogation training tools. While researchers involved often emphasize the civilian nature of their work, activists point to the potential misuse of these technologies in conflict zones.

A significant portion of EU funds allocated to Israeli entities supports academic institutions. Critics argue that these universities play a critical role in developing military technologies and sustaining Israel’s military-industrial complex. Maya Wind, an Israeli scholar, describes how institutions like the Technion and Hebrew University have historically contributed to Israel’s military capabilities.

The debate over EU funding highlights broader ethical dilemmas surrounding international research collaborations. Activists and academics alike call for stricter oversight to prevent civilian research funds from being repurposed for military uses, especially in contexts involving alleged human rights violations.

While some EU-funded projects involving Israeli entities have faced suspension, critics argue that these measures are insufficient, urging a complete reassessment of the EU’s partnership with Israel under the Horizon framework.