Latest news with #KajaKallas
L'Orient-Le Jour
16 hours ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
EU proposes halting Israel access to start-up funds over Gaza war
The European Commission on Monday proposed suspending Israel's access to EU funding for tech start-ups, as pressure increases over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The move by Brussels comes as a string of EU countries push for concrete steps against Israel in the face of growing fears of mass starvation in the war-ravaged territory. "While Israel has announced a daily humanitarian pause in Gaza fighting ... the situation remains severe," the European Commission said in a statement. "The proposed suspension is a targeted and reversible action," it said. The suggestion to partially suspend Israel's involvement in the mammoth Horizon research programme will be discussed by the EU's 27 countries on Tuesday. It would need the approval of the majority of member states to go into force. The bloc has struggled to take action over the conflict in Gaza as it is split between staunch supporters of Israel and those more favorable to the Palestinians. The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, this month put forward a raft of options to punish Israel after it was found guilty of breaching a cooperation deal with the EU on human rights grounds. Brussels also said it had struck a deal with Israel to increase aid access to Gaza. While the EU says Israel has taken steps to implement some of the promises on stepping up aid, it still has to do much more. Partially suspending Horizon access is one of the more limited moves that Brussels could take. But diplomats and officials say the move is a first step to signal to Israel that the bloc is willing to take action unless the situation in Gaza improves. Brussels said the proposal would mean halting access to funding for Israeli start-ups involved in fields including drone technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. In 2024, Israel ranked among the top three countries in terms of the number of companies vying for funding, alongside Germany and France. With Gaza's population of more than two million facing famine and malnutrition, Israel bowed to international pressure at the weekend and announced a daily "tactical pause" in fighting in some areas. Truckloads of food reached hungry Gazans on Monday after Israel promised to open secure aid routes, but humanitarian agencies warned vast amounts more were needed to stave off starvation.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
EU praises Malaysia for facilitating Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire
KUALA LUMPUR: The European Union (EU) has commended Malaysia's efforts in facilitating a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, marking a significant breakthrough after days of deadly border clashes. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, said it is vital for both countries to implement the ceasefire in good faith. "I thank Malaysia as Asean Chair for helping facilitate the negotiation process," she said in a post on the X platform. During the Thailand-Cambodia special meeting held in Malaysia's administrative capital Putrajaya, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to halt all fighting, ending the armed clashes between their respective armies that began on July 24. — BERNAMA
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
EU proposes suspending Israel's start-up funds over Gaza crisis
BRUSSELS: The European Commission has proposed suspending Israel's participation in EU funding for tech start-ups, escalating pressure over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. The move follows growing concerns over mass starvation in the war-torn region. 'The proposed suspension is a targeted and reversible action,' the European Commission stated. While Israel has announced daily humanitarian pauses in fighting, the situation remains critical. The suggestion to partially exclude Israel from the Horizon research programme will be discussed by EU member states on Tuesday, requiring majority approval to take effect. The bloc has faced internal divisions on how to respond to the Gaza conflict, balancing staunch Israeli allies with those advocating stronger Palestinian support. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas recently proposed punitive measures after Israel was found violating a human rights cooperation agreement. Brussels confirmed a deal with Israel to improve aid access to Gaza but stressed that more action is needed. The potential suspension would block funding for Israeli start-ups in drone tech, cybersecurity, and AI—sectors where Israel ranks among the top three EU funding recipients alongside Germany and France. As Gaza's population grapples with famine, Israel announced daily tactical pauses in fighting to allow aid deliveries. Trucks carrying food entered Gaza on Monday, but humanitarian groups warn far greater assistance is required to prevent starvation. - AFP
Jordan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Jordan Times
EU proposes halting Israel access to start-up funds over Gaza war
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Commission on Monday proposed suspending Israel's access to EU funding for tech start-ups, as pressure increases over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The move by Brussels comes as a string of EU countries push for concrete steps against Israel in the face of growing fears of mass starvation in the war-ravaged territory. "While Israel has announced a daily humanitarian pause in Gaza fighting... the situation remains severe," the European Commission said in a statement. "The proposed suspension is a targeted and reversible action," it said. The suggestion to partially suspend Israel's involvement in the mammoth Horizon research programme will be discussed by the EU's 27 countries on Tuesday. It would need the approval of the majority of member states to go into force. The bloc has struggled to take action over the conflict in Gaza as it is split between staunch supporters of Israel and those more favourable to the Palestinians. The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas this month put forward a raft of options to punish Israel after it was found guilty of breaching a cooperation deal with the EU on human rights grounds. Brussels also said it had struck a deal with Israel to increase aid access to Gaza. While the EU says Israel has taken steps to implement some of the promises on stepping up aid, it still has to do much more. Partially suspending Horizon accesss is one of the more limited moves that Brussels could take. But diplomats and officials say the move is a first step to signal to Israel that the bloc is willing to take action unless the situation in Gaza improves. Brussels said the proposal would mean halting access to funding for Israeli start-ups involved in fields including drone technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. In 2024, Israel was in the top three countries for the number of companies vying for funding along with Germany and France. With Gaza's population of more than two million facing famine and malnutrition, Israel bowed to international pressure at the weekend and announced a daily "tactical pause" in fighting in some areas. Truckloads of food reached hungry Gazans on Monday after Israel promised to open secure aid routes, but humanitarian agencies warned vast amounts more were needed to stave off starvation.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure
European Commissioners on Monday discussed a proposal to partially suspend Israel 's access to the EU's Horizon research funding programme following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza . Multiple EU countries said last week that Israel was not living up to its commitments under an agreement with the European Union on increasing aid supplies to Gaza and asked the Commission to put concrete options on the table. The proposal was mentioned in a published agenda of Monday's meeting of the College of Commissioners, the top decision-making body of the European Union's executive. But the Commission has not explained it in detail. Israel has been participating in the EU's research programmes since 1996, taking part in thousands of joint research projects over the past decades. Earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Israel had agreed to expand humanitarian access to Gaza, including increasing the number of aid trucks, crossing points and routes to distribution hubs. But in a tense meeting of European ambassadors in Brussels last week, countries including France, the Netherlands and Spain said not enough was being done, according to diplomats. Earlier this month, EU officials presented a list of options that the bloc could pursue to put pressure on Israel but the bloc has so far refrained from pursuing any of them. Israel on Sunday announced a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors, while Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have airdropped supplies into the enclave. But officials and aid groups remain concerned and say much more needs to be done to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. – Reuters
