De Brún urges MEPs to stop EU funding to Israeli Military

Bairbre de Brún MEP has today urged her colleagues in the European Parliament to vote to end the European Union's funding towards Israeli companies which engage in military activities while Israel continues to break international human rights law.

An amendment by Ms de Brún put forward to the EU's budget, which was co-signed by 40 Members of the European Parliament from different countries and political groups states, "No company which conducts research for the Israeli military will receive funding under this title while Israel fails to comply with international human rights standards."

Speaking from Strasbourg Ms de Brún said "Part of this funding, which is administered under the heading of 'Directly financed research operations' continues to go towards companies such as Israel Aerospace Industries, a major supplier of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and manufacturer of the ‘Heron’ unmanned aerial vehicle which was used extensively in the siege on Gaza. They receive EUR 4 million of EU funding"

"We must make sure, that while Israel ignores international human rights law, the EU sets an example and gives no money to companies which engage in either military research or the production of weapons."