Belgium Supports Proposal to Suspend Israel's Participation in the European Scientific Research Program

SadaNews - Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxim Prevot, announced today, Tuesday, his country's support for the European Commission's proposal for a partial suspension of Israel's participation in the "Horizon Europe" scientific research program, in light of the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

He pointed out that the success of the Danish presidency of the European Union in securing the required majority will lead to the imposition of the first tangible European sanction against Israel, in an unprecedented step within the framework of European scientific cooperation.

In this context, Prevot stressed that air drops of aid to Gaza are insufficient, calling for the need to ensure the complete and unhindered access of humanitarian aid, amid the ongoing blockade and the worsening famine in the region.

This European escalation comes after the Commission's recommendation to review scientific cooperation with Israel, as the suspension of participation in "Horizon Europe" is seen as a step with significant economic and political impact, especially since the program is one of the largest scientific research programs in the world, valued at over $100 billion.