MEPs in the European Parliament's Left political group have criticised the flow of Horizon Europe research funding to Israel, and the overall shift in emphasis towards the programme supporting economic competitiveness. Israel has long been an associated country to the Framework Programmes, meaning its scientists can participate on an equal basis to their EU counterparts, both leading projects and receiving money. But this has become particularly controversial since the country's attack on Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023.