University of Helsinki joins appeal to exclude Israeli academic institutions from EU research funding programme

The University of Helsinki will join the made by Belgian universities to the leaders of the EU and its member states, calling for the suspension of the association agreement between Israel and the EU. The decision was made by Rector Sari Lindblom, authorised by the University Board.

The appeal urges the European Commission and member states to immediately suspend the EU’s association agreement with Israel. The agreement enables Israeli academic institutions to participate in, for example, the EU’s funding programmes, such as the Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation.

The appeal states that Israel’s military offensive in Gaza conflicts with Article 2 of the association agreement, which seeks to ensure that human rights and democracy are implemented in the EU’s collaboration with third countries.

The appeal also proposes that the European Commission start to develop a transparent, structural and independent framework for evaluating all international partnerships under Horizon Europe from the perspective of ethics and human rights.

“Influencing EU research policy is particularly relevant now, as preparations for the new framework programme are underway. At the same time, the situation in Gaza is horrifying, and more and more organisations are recognising that it bears the characteristics of genocide. As an academic institution, it is vital that we use the channels available to influence policy. A unified policy among European research institutes for evaluating international partnerships is, in my view, essential,” Rector Lindblom states.

The University of Helsinki has introduced a tool that enables community members to identify risks associated with international collaboration and to access support in managing them. The purpose of the is to increase risk awareness and harmonise risk assessment. The tool’s use has been compulsory since the beginning of September.

The appeal to suspend the association agreement between EU and Israel was originally drafted by 10 Belgian universities. To date, 41 universities have endorsed it.