Israeli scientists warn against leaving H2020

A senior Israeli minister and top university leaders are warning ministers not to pull out of Horizon 2020.

Jacob Perry, the Israeli Science and Technology Minister, is calling for the country to continue its participation in the EU’s research and innovation funding programmes and warned cabinet colleagues in a letter not to make hasty decisions.

His views are echoed by Professor Shai Arkin, the vice president for Research and Development at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who says not participating in Horizon 2020 could seriously damage the country’s research credibility. In comments carried on Middle East Monitor, Arkin said: “The most critical aspect is not the money, but the co-operation. The moment we are cut off from one of the world’s two important centres of research (Europe), our science will become regional and less relevant and we will no longer have access to scientific infrastructure that is outside of Israel.”

A senior researcher at the Migal Galilee Technology Center has written to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on him to consider all options before making a final decision. Professor Uri Marchaim said collaboration with the EU brought Israel to the “forefront of contemporary and future science and technology”.

The Council for Higher Education in Israel has yet to formally voice its opinion on the matter.