The program is entitled "strengthening international collaborations in science and attracting researchers to academia and industry"

Of the funds, the Ministry of Innovation will allocate 50 million Shekels (USD 13.6 million) - 40 million in 2024 to promote bi-national research, and an additional 10 million between 2024 and 2025 to strengthen international collaborations in various ways

The Ministry of Education and Research will receive 32.6 million shekels (USD 8.9 million)

Among the operative steps that will be taken in favor of the fight against the boycott - encouraging internationalization and strengthening ties of the research institutions in Israel with leading institutions abroad through a new call that will allow the academic institutions funding for programs for visits by delegations of researchers and students to Israel, strengthening ties with managements of parallel institutions abroad, courses common and other activities

Meanwhile, relations between the European Union and Israel took a nosedive Monday, the eve of the diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state by EU members Ireland and Spain, with Madrid insisting that sanctions should be considered against Israel for its continued deadly attacks in southern Gaza's city of Rafah

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Spain that its consulate in Jerusalem will not be allowed to help Palestinians

At the same time, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell threw his weight to support the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, including leaders of the Hamas militant group

"The prosecutor of the court has been strongly intimidated and accused of antisemitism as always when anybody, anyone does something that Netanyahu's government does not like," Borrell said. "The word antisemitic, it's too heavy. It's too important"

Spain, Ireland and Norway plan to make official their recognition of a Palestinian state on Tuesday. While dozens of countries have recognised a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers has done so, and it is unclear how much of a difference the move by Ireland, Spain and non-EU member Norway might make on the ground. The recognition, however, is a significant accomplishment for the Palestinians, who believe it confers international legitimacy on their struggle