Horizon Europe funds allocated to Israeli activities
16.1.2025
Question for written answer E-000180/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Per Clausen (The Left), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left), Hanna Gedin (The Left), Jussi Saramo (The Left)
Over 42 000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 97 000 injured, since Israel began its military invasion of the Gaza Strip[1]. The UN believes there are clear signs that Israel is violating the Genocide Convention[2].
Since 7 October 2024, the EU has continued to allocate funds to Israeli defence companies through its Horizon Europe programme. This includes Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel’s largest aerospace and defence company, which, since 7 October, has received funds for some of its dual-use projects[3].
This is despite the fact that Horizon Europe funding must comply with human rights standards, international law and EU treaties, which prohibit the funding of ‘expenses arising from operations with military or defence implications’.
We know that programmes funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme prior to 7 October are now actively being used in Israel’s military activities in Gaza. This includes the Skylord drone programme, which is now being used by the Israel Defense Forces in its missions in Gaza[4].
How will the Commission ensure that Horizon Europe funds are not allocated to Israeli universities or programmes located in occupied areas or involved in military activities that directly or indirectly contribute to human rights violations and breaches of international law?
Submitted: 16.1.2025
- [1] https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/over-42000-palaestinensere-meldes-draebt-siden-7-oktober-sidste-aar.
- [2] https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/udland/fn-rapport-rimelig-mistanke-om-israel-har-begaaet-folkedrabslignende-handlinger-i.
- [3] https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar108cf70a.
- [4] https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar108cf70a.