Rose Conway-Walsh Urges Blocking Horizon Negotiations with Israel
Rose Conway-Walsh spoke in the House on 26 May 2021 about using EU Horizon funding as leverage over Israel and urged the government to refuse any European Council mandate to negotiate Horizon participation with Israel. She said Israel was acting illegally under international law, described the situation as de facto annexation and apartheid, and framed Horizon as a tool to hold Israel to account.
Horizon funding as leverage
The deputy argued the new Horizon fund, worth $95.5 billion, presents a chance to pressure Israel. She explained that for Israel to access the funding it would need to renegotiate a bilateral agreement with the European Commission, which in turn must first be given a mandate by the European Council.
Allegations of illegal action and annexation
She recalled that the House had agreed the previous day that Israel was acting illegally under international law and described those actions as the de facto annexation of Palestinian lands and an apartheid regime.
EU negotiation process and government role
She urged the government to make clear in the European Council that it will not support any mandate to negotiate with Israel, calling that refusal a ‘‘power lever’’ to pressure Israel over its policies in Palestine.
Comparative funding figures
The deputy cited recent funding figures, saying Israel had received $1.24 billion over the last seven years under Horizon, while Ireland had received €100 million less as a full EU member.
Government response and EU unanimity
A responding speaker thanked the deputy for raising the issue but cautioned that Horizon’s leverage should not be overstated because there is no unanimity across the EU on Israel and Palestine. The respondent noted Ireland’s long-standing strong position, referenced the week’s agreed conclusion calling for a two-state solution and a cessation of hostilities, and said it had been difficult for the Foreign Affairs Council to reach agreement. They added the government will continue to raise the matter at all fora, including the Security Council, urging Israel to adopt policies that facilitate long-term peace, proper treatment of Palestinians and movement toward a two-state solution.
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Goera Magad. Thaiseach, yesterday we agreed in this House that Israel was acting illegally under international law and we have a window of opportunity now to use the powerful lever of Horizon funding to pressure Israel to end its apartheid regime. The new Horizon fund worth $95.5 billion is a chance to hold Israel to account for what this House agreed yesterday is the de facto annexation of the Palestine lands. And for Israel to access this funding, the high valued research network, they have to renegotiate a bilateral agreement with the European Commission. First, the European Commission needs to seek a mandate from the European Council to enter negotiations. This is what's happening now. The government needs to make it clear in the European Council that they will not support any mandate for negotiating with Israel. This is a power lever to pressure Israel. Over the last seven years, Israel has received $1.24 billion. For comparison to that, Ireland has only received €100 million less as a full member of the EU. Thank you, Deputy, for raising this very important issue. But I would caution that we can't overstate the leverage from something like the Horizon Fund in relation to this issue because there is not unanimity across the European Union in respect of Israel and Palestine. Ireland has a very strong position on it and has had for a long number of years. Other member states do not share our perspective in relation to it. But we did succeed in having an agreed conclusion this week in respect of the issue in terms of calling for a two-state solution and a cessation of hostilities. But you will recall it was very difficult for the Foreign Affairs Council to get agreement on the issue. But we will continue to raise it at all fora from the Security Council down in terms of the need for Israel to adopt initiatives and policies that facilitate long-term peace but also proper treatment of Palestinians and moving towards a two-state solution. Thank you.
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