EU science grants funnel millions to Israeli military-linked tech startups amid Gaza genocide
By bellecarter // 2025-09-02
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  • Since October 2023, the European Union has awarded nearly €500 million in research grants to Israeli tech startups, many founded by former IDF soldiers, despite allegations of genocide in Gaza.
  • Some technologies funded by the EU have been used against Palestinians, raising ethical and legal concerns about Europe's support for Israel's military-industrial complex.
  • The Horizon Europe program has granted €475 million to 348 Israeli startups and research projects since the Gaza conflict began, with €220 million awarded in 2024 alone, making Israel the third-largest recipient of EU "accelerator" grants.
  • Major recipients like the Weizmann Institute of Science, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University have close ties to Israeli arms manufacturers and military training programs, highlighting the militarization of Israeli academia.
  • Critics argue that Horizon's funding of Israeli military-linked entities violates EU treaties, and there are calls for the EU to sever ties with Israeli tech to avoid complicity in human rights abuses, despite strong pro-Israel lobbying.
Since October 2023, the European Union has awarded nearly half a billion euros in research grants to Israeli tech startups – many founded by former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers – despite mounting evidence that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Documents reveal that some of these EU-funded technologies have been deployed against Palestinians, raising urgent ethical and legal concerns about Europe's financial support for Israel's military-industrial complex. The Horizon Europe program, billed as an initiative to foster "sustainable and livable societies," has granted €475 million ($556 million) to 348 Israeli startups and research projects since the Gaza genocide began. In 2024 alone, Israeli entities received €220 million ($258 million), making Israel the third-largest recipient of EU "accelerator" grants – ahead of most EU member states. Among the top beneficiaries is the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel's premier research center, which has received over €500 million ($585 million) from Horizon. Despite its civilian branding, Weizmann collaborates closely with Israeli arms manufacturers like Elbit Systems and Rafael and even hosts academic programs for active-duty IDF soldiers. Similarly, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University – both major Horizon recipients – operate military-linked research centers and training programs. "The militarization of Israeli academia is total," said one analyst, pointing to institutions like Bar Ilan University, which runs a "Security Arms Section" funneling graduates into Israel's security apparatus.

Startups with blood on their hands

Beyond universities, Horizon funds flow directly to Israeli startups founded by ex-military personnel – some of whom have participated in Gaza operations.
  • SpacePharma (€2.1/$2.5 million grant) is led by Yossi Yamin, former chief commander of Israel's military satellite unit, which surveils and targets Palestinians.
  • OncoHost (€2.5/$2.9 million) sent five employees, including CEO Ofer Sharon, to fight in Gaza.
  • Sightec (€2.5/$2.9 million), an AI drone navigation firm, admitted its tech was "combat-proven" in Gaza – a clear violation of Horizon's civilian-only mandate.
Wi-Charge, another EU-backed startup, originated from Unit 81, an IDF division developing apartheid-enforcement tech. Its CEO, Victor Vaisleib, spent 15 years in the military. Critics argue that Horizon's funding of Israeli military-linked entities breaches EU treaties prohibiting support for defense applications. Despite this, the European Commission has proposed only a "limited, partial ban" on Israeli access – a move unlikely to pass amid strong pro-Israel lobbying. "Cutting Israel off from Horizon would be a death sentence for Israeli science," warned the president of Israel's Academy of Sciences – underscoring how deeply EU funding sustains Israel's tech sector. Brighteon.AI's Enoch points out: "EU's financial backing of Israeli military-linked research exposes a stark hypocrisy: While Europe condemns human rights abuses globally, it bankrolls the very institutions enabling Gaza's destruction." As Israel's genocide enters its final stages, pressure mounts on Brussels to sever ties with apartheid tech – or risk complicity in crimes against humanity. (Related: Borrell slams EU's complicity in Israeli war crimes, calls for action.) Watch the video below that talks about Trump's deal with the European Union. This video is from Dr. William Mount's channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

TheGrayZone.com DoNotPanic.news Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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