Brussels – Israel out of Horizon Europe. The pro-Palestine movement is taking to the streets once again and, on Friday, 27 March, in Brussels, outside the European Union institutions, will call for an end to Tel Aviv’s participation in the EU’s flagship research programme. “The EU is planning Horizon Europe 2028–2034, the 175 billion euro research programme,” explain the protest organisers, including Justice for Palestine and Brussels against genocide. “With increasing militarisation and the adoption of dual-use technologies, Israeli universities and companies could receive billions for their surveillance, repression and control tools, tested on the battlefield at the expense of Palestinians,” they add. Those taking to the streets “do not want their money to fund genocide”, “do not want European universities to design the occupation,” and “are calling on the EU to end financial support for Israel now.”
The event forms part of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) initiative, which was officially registered in November 2025 and is supported by the European Parliamentary Group of The Left. Since January, it has been collecting signatures – at least 1 million across seven Member States – to formally request that the European Commission submit a proposal to the Council for the total suspension of the Association Agreement with Israel. The agreement, which since 1995 has formed the cornerstone of economic, commercial, and political cooperation between the two parties, has long been contested on the grounds of its incompatibility with Israel’s conduct. “Israel has also imposed a blockade on humanitarian aid tantamount to using hunger as a weapon of war, is violating numerous rules and obligations under international law, and is failing to prevent the crime of genocide as required by the International Court of Justice,” states the text submitted. “Nevertheless, the European Union has not yet suspended the Association Agreement,” it adds.
Although the European Union – through the European External Action Service (EEAS) – in June recognized the breach of Article 2 of the Association Agreement, which stipulates that relations between the parties must be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, Brussels has decided to impose a partial suspension of the partnership with the EU (limited to EIC Accelerator start-ups). Nor has it taken any action to condemn or sanction the Jewish state. All this against a backdrop where Tel Aviv’s violations against the Palestinian population of Gaza are documented by the highest international bodies: between January and March 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide and ensure the provision of essential services in Gaza. Subsequently, in May 2024, the Court ordered the cessation of the offensive in Rafah, and, in October 2025, further reiterated the obligation to ensure vital supplies in the occupied territories.
With over 34 per cent of Israel’s imports coming from the EU and 28.8 per cent of Israeli exports going to the EU, the EU is Israel’s main trading partner. In 2024, total trade in goods between the EU and Israel amounted to 42.6 billion euros. In 2021, Israel joined Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation funding programme. Of the EU funds under Horizon Europe, 1.11 billion euros is earmarked for Israeli companies, universities, and public bodies. Among the 921 projects involving 231 Israeli beneficiaries are companies with close links to the Israeli military.
The people of Brussels will call on – once again – to ensure that Europe moves from diplomatic discussions to concrete action, putting an end to a legal framework that helps to legitimise war crimes and crimes against humanity.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
