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Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-862540
Holland Threatens to Suspend EU Cooperation with Israel
(Jerusalem Post) Amichai Stein - Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof warned Monday that The Hague would support suspending Israel's participation in the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation program due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog responded: "It will be a huge mistake if the EU takes such steps, especially in light of Israel's ongoing and upgraded humanitarian efforts." Herzog expressed deep disappointment that the fate of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas was not even mentioned in Schoof's remarks. "I am especially saddened that the plight of our hostages and the demand for their immediate release are completely ignored," he wrote. Israel's Foreign Ministry said a recommendation to undermine Israel's participation in a component of the EU's Horizon program is mistaken, regrettable, and unjustified. "At a time when Israel is fighting Hamas's jihadist terrorism, any such decision only serves to strengthen Hamas and therefore undermines the chances of reaching a ceasefire and a framework for the release of hostages."