Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis instructed his office Sunday to devise ways to counter efforts by anti-Israel activists in Europe to exclude Israel from the European Union's next research and development initiative.
Hundreds of European Parliament members recently received a letter, signed by 154 groups, organizations and unions from 16 countries, urging them to ban Israeli companies, especially defense contractors, from EU framework programs.
Israel is currently part of the EU's R&D initiative, Horizon 2020.
The next program, dubbed FP9, will run from 2021 to 2027 and lays the foundation for Horizon Europe, an ambitious €100 billion ($116 billion) research and innovation program meant to succeed Horizon 2020, the eighth framework program.
Among non-EU member states involved in the initiative, Israel, a world-renowned innovation hub, has been the top dependent on the program's funds.
Israeli officials are concerned that if the pro-Palestinian activists have their way, Israel will lose billions of dollars in technological and scientific R&D grants.
News of the anti-Israel efforts, reported by Israel Hayom on Sunday, prompted Akunis to summon top officials in his ministry for urgent consultations.
"This is an anti-Israel and anti-Semitic initiative and we must fight it using every resource at our disposal," Akunis said Sunday, stressing the importance of "public diplomacy efforts directed at the European capitals" to counter the latest anti-Israel campaign.
Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen echoed the pledge to fight the move. "The Palestinian campaign, which they launch every year, stems from their frustration at Israeli innovation – how it boosts Israel's economy and how much it contributes to humanity."
"As Israeli technology moves forward with global inventions in the fields of medicine, water, cyber and agriculture, the Palestinians are stuck in the Stone Age, digging tunnels and flying kites," Cohen added.
"Israel is a key player in global innovation and we will continue to promote international programs similar to those promoted in Europe, which benefit everyone," Cohen continued. "This technological and scientific partnership is of great value for Israel and for Europe."
