The EU-Israel Association Agreement sets the framework for broad-based cooperation, which also includes Israel’s association with the EU Framework Agreement for Research and Innovation “Horizon Europe” (2021-2027). However, due to the situation in the Gaza Strip, the agreement is currently under scrutiny. At their meetings in June and July, the EU foreign ministers failed to reach an agreement on possible measures that could also affect cooperation in research and innovation. The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) had previously publicly positioned itself against such measures.
A European Commission review report on the EU-Israel Association Agreement, initiated by the Netherlands on 7 May 2025, concludes that Israel may have violated human rights through its actions in the Gaza Strip. Respect for human rights is an essential element of the agreement (Article 2). If this requirement of respect is violated, the comprehensive agreement can be suspended in whole or in part.
In addition to trade, research cooperation between the EU and Israel could also be restricted, for example by suspending Israel’s association with the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe (2021-2027). According to a report by the ‘Science|Business’ portal, the participation of Israeli researchers in the EU Framework Programme has already declined significantly since October 2023 and recently reached an all-time low.
In the run-up to the meeting at EU level on 11 June, the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) published a press release in which it clearly spoke out against restrictions on EU research cooperation with Israel. The HRK argues that Israeli universities and academia make an important contribution to maintaining links between people, institutions and societies affected by conflict and war. Consequently, the HRK is in favour of the EU taking measures to strengthen rather than weaken universities and science in Israel, especially at this time.
The discussion about the EU’s position is now taking place against a significantly different backdrop: The military conflict between Israel and Iran in June – for which a ceasefire has since come into force – also included targeted attacks on science. Israel officially claimed responsibility for the killing of nuclear scientists in Iran. Research laboratories at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Ben Gurion University and Tel Aviv University in Israel were severely damaged by Iranian air strikes. There were no casualties, but Israeli scientists are lamenting the loss of research results from neuroscience and cancer research. Experimental set-ups and equipment worth millions were destroyed. Hundreds of scientists lost their jobs.
At an additional meeting on 15 July the EU foreign ministers discussed possible measures. Foreign Affairs Commissioner Kaja Kallas announced on 15 July that the EU had reached an agreement with Israel to expand humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip. However, additional measures are necessary to improve the situation in the long term. The EU will review the implementation of the agreed measures every fortnight. Kallas also presented the member states with a catalogue of possible sanctions that the EU could impose if Israel fails to keep its promises.
Source and further information: Kooperation international (in German)