Story perspectives

EU weighs banning Israeli firms from Horizon research

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

EU weighs ban

EU officials must decide whether to bar Israeli firms from Horizon research programme (2028-2034).
The EU’s net contribution to Israel through Horizon Europe 2021-2027 totals €1.02 bn.
A UN report estimated EU research funding to Israeli entities exceeds €2.12 bn since 2014.
Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva met Israel Space Agency head Shimrit Mama to discuss defence-tech cooperation.
European Parliament members asked the Commission about Israeli firm Sightec receiving €2.5 m from the EIC Accelerator.

Summary

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History

Historical Context

In November 1995 the EU and Israel signed the Association Agreement, granting Israel the first non-European status in the EU Framework Programme. The pact generated 312 joint projects and 1,200 publications by 2005. Now EU officials consider barring firms such as Sightec from Horizon Europe 2021-2027, illustrating how political pressure can reshape the 1995 funding framework.

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EU weighs ban

EU officials must decide whether to bar Israeli firms from Horizon research programme (2028-2034).
The EU’s net contribution to Israel through Horizon Europe 2021-2027 totals €1.02 bn.
A UN report estimated EU research funding to Israeli entities exceeds €2.12 bn since 2014.
Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva met Israel Space Agency head Shimrit Mama to discuss defence-tech cooperation.
European Parliament members asked the Commission about Israeli firm Sightec receiving €2.5 m from the EIC Accelerator.

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