Dutch universities linked to EU-funded Israeli military projects, investigation finds
Dutch universities are involved in at least 28 new technology and product development projects funded by European subsidies that could benefit the Israeli military, according to an investigation by Follow the Money. European rules explicitly forbid military use of these funds, but enforcement is reportedly lacking, and individual scientists find it nearly impossible to withdraw from ongoing research projects.
Since 2007, Israel has allegedly received approximately 3 billion euros from Horizon Europe, the EU’s science and innovation funding program aimed at boosting the EU's global competitiveness. Since 2020, EU rules require all projects to serve exclusively civilian purposes, including those involving dual-use materials and technologies that could also be applied militarily.
According to an investigation, Dutch universities collaborate with Israeli partners on these projects, receiving more than 356 million euros in EU subsidies. Among these institutions are the TU Delft, TU Eindhoven, University of Groningen, University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, Wageningen University & Research, University of Twente in Enschede, University of Leiden, and the Dutch research institute TNO.
TU Delft collaborates with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a state-owned company specializing in both civilian and military aerospace systems. In the ‘Herwingt’ project, they research hybrid flight technology that IAI aims to apply “as quickly as possible.” This technology might be used in the C295 patrol aircraft, which is capable of maritime and military reconnaissance. Ko Colijn, emeritus professor of international relations and global security, told Follow the Money that “potentially, the technology can also be used in military transport aircraft and drones.”
The TU Delft is currently engaged in seven dual-use projects with Israeli partners, and TU Eindhoven in eight. A TU Eindhoven spokesperson acknowledged the difficulty in distinguishing civilian from military applications, stating, “The distinction between civilian and military applications is sometimes almost impossible to make.”
Israel’s scientific strengths—spanning quantum mechanics, semiconductors, healthcare, and artificial intelligence—make it an attractive partner for EU researchers, according to Shlomi Kofman, director of a government agency supporting Israeli scientists in the European research market.
Israel is the most successful non-EU country in securing Horizon grants, with about 20 percent of its applications funded, compared to 16 percent for the Netherlands and 15 percent for France and Germany. Israeli projects frequently fall into the dual-use category. Israel Aerospace Industries alone has participated in 44 Horizon projects since 2007, worth over 23 million euros.
Half of Israel’s Horizon funding—about 1.5 billion euros over 20 years—went to Israeli universities, the other half to companies. One such company, Xtend Defence, received 50,000 euros for drone development. These drones were reportedly used in October 2024 to kill Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Horizon funding requires respect for human rights and dignity, and projects must pass an ethical review confirming civilian-only use. However, according to Follow the Money, this review is largely a formality, often a simple checkbox.
After the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, the EU reportedly increased support for Israeli partners, despite calls for solidarity with Israel from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On the day of her statement, the Israeli embassy requested postponing a Horizon grant deadline. The European Commission complied, extending deadlines for four new Israeli-related projects worth over 15 million euros.
Since then, Dutch universities have started 57 new Horizon projects with Israeli partners. Among these, TU Eindhoven continues work with Mellanox, receiving nearly 1 million euros in funding.
Some Dutch researchers, such as Joachim Koops, professor of Security Studies at Leiden University, have expressed ethical concerns, Follow the Money reported. Koops participates in the ‘Glocter’ project, funded with 275,000 euros, which includes the Reichman Institute, a private Israeli university. After October 7, 2023, Koops questioned the Reichman Institute’s stance on the war and its military ties. Reichman was then removed from receiving funds and active participation but remains listed as a partner, as removing a partner without consent and Commission approval is impossible. Researchers are largely responsible for making ethical decisions themselves, which Koops criticizes: “That seems wrong.”
The European Commission does not monitor whether research results are eventually used militarily. A spokesperson confirmed that military use is legally not excluded under current rules, and the Commission does not track whether products developed under Horizon are used for defense.
Universities face heavy financial and legal risks if they try to leave projects. For example, Ghent University announced in May 2024 its intention to end all 12 Israeli-partner projects but has reportedly struggled for over a year due to “significant legal challenges,” according to a spokesperson.
Some universities have established ethical committees following student protests. The University of Amsterdam’s committee recommended suspending ties with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a recommendation the university partially adopted but now considers reversing. This led students to resume tent protests demanding the university take moral responsibility and sever ties with “structures contributing to genocide and apartheid,” according to local newspaper Het Parool. TU Eindhoven and Wageningen University have not reviewed their Israeli partnerships despite repeated student calls.
Amid growing concerns, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp (Nieuw Sociaal Contract, currently caretaker) successfully urged the European Commission to assess whether Israel still complies with the Association Agreement requiring respect for human rights and democratic principles. Suspension or termination of this agreement or Horizon cooperation could have major economic consequences for Israel.
