The European Commission (EC) recently published new guidelines for participation of Israel in EU funded programmes, explicitly excluding organisations located in occupied territory of any form of participation. This put the participation of Israel in Horizon 2020 at risk. Israel has historically been a major net-beneficiary of the framework programmes. Not participating could seriously harm scientific cooperation with the country.
The clause
The territorial clause was introduced by the EC to clarify the EU’s position, before negotiations with Israel on financial arrangements would commence. Any agreement with Israel would not include territories that came under Israeli administration after June 1967, according to the guidelines. In the case of Horizon 2020 it would mean that Israeli beneficiaries need to be legally located within the pre-1967 borders. Also, any activities of entities funded by the EU cannot take place in areas outside of these borders. Prime minister of Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu, strongly opposes the guidelines. A government official stated that Israel would not be able to sign a document in which it would declare that Jerusalem, the West Bank and other occupied territories are not part of Israel. During a meeting with the German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, Netanyahu stated that such a clause also undermines the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
How much is € 1 billion worth?
In the Seventh framework programme Israel contributed approximately 535 million euros, but managed to receive 634 million euros in research funding. If Israel’s performance would remain stable, the country is expected to receive an estimated one billion euro from Horizon 2020 in the next seven years. This figure is in high contrast to Israel’s expected contribution to the framework programme of 600 million euro. Looking at the size of its expected return on investment, not participating would reshuffle the level playing field within Horizon 2020.
Timeline
Negotiations between the European Union and Israel on financial arrangements is set to commence on Wednesday 14 August. It is expected that, before the negotiations will start, Netanyahu will discuss the matter with Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU and responsible for foreign affairs and security policy.
More information
Press statement: Minister: Israel to decline H2020 involvement
Press statement: EU officially publishes settlement guidelines despite Israeli objections
Publication: Guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities…
