Germany blocks EU push to sanction 'Israel' over war on Gaza

Germany has moved to block a European Commission proposal that would have suspended "Israel's" access to certain EU research funds, underscoring deep divisions within the bloc over how to respond to the war on Gaza.

The Commission's plan centered on Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research program. Brussels sought to exclude "Israel" from startup-oriented funding streams tied to drones, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, technologies that could bolster military capabilities.

The proposal was designed as leverage to pressure Tel Aviv into easing restrictions on humanitarian aid deliveries.