Israeli minister urges government to end EU collaboration

The Israeli economy Minister, Naftali Bennett, has urged his government to end all co-operation with the EU following the publication of new ‘settlement guidelines’ by Brussels. The Union recently outlined guidelines prohibiting any EU money, grants or prizes funding R&D activities or any businesses operating in the Occupied Territories, namely the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights.

His comments come as the head of the Israeli National Security Council, Yaakov Amidror, is expected to convene a meeting with key government ministers to discuss the country’s participation in Horizon 2020. Senior Israeli government officials are considering abstaining from the EU’s next research and innovation framework programme, due to start in January 2014.

It’s understood the Israeli government disagrees with a clause in the new ‘settlement guidelines’ that sees the country essentially recognise the Occupied Territories as not part of Israel, in addition to also contradicting Israeli law. The EU has said it is willing to discuss any concerns Israel has and the topic is expected to be a subject when talks are convened between Israeli politicians and the German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, when he visits Jerusalem next week.

According to the local Maariv newspaper, a decision by the Israeli government must be taken by mid-August on whether the country will participate in the next framework programme. Israel is the only non-EU member state invited to fully participate in the Union’s research and innovation framework programme; countries outside of the EU must agree a third country association. It’s anticipated the country could lose €1bn in R&D funding if the government decides not pull-out. The Israeli government is set to contribute €600m in support funds to Horizon 2020 if it participates.