EU Considers Limiting Israel's Access to Horizon Europe Amid Gaza Crisis

The European Union's executive body proposed on Monday to restrict Israeli participation in its Horizon Europe research program. This comes amid increasing EU calls to pressure Israel to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting a growing rift between the EU and Israel.

According to the European Commission, many EU countries voiced concerns over Israel not fulfilling its commitments to increase aid to Gaza. This spurred the EU to consider reducing Israel's role in its prestigious research initiative, pending approval from a qualified majority of member states.

Despite some commitments made by Israel, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with the U.N.'s World Food Programme noting severe conditions affecting nearly half a million people. Israel's foreign ministry criticized the EU's proposal, labeling it as misguided and expressing hopes that EU members would reject it.

(With inputs from agencies.)