Israel joins EU's atomic research centre

Israel has officially become a full member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, which owns the world’s largest particle physics laboratory on the French-Swiss border. The organisation’s 20 European member states voted unanimously on Thursday in favour of the decision to accept Israel as a full member of CERN following a two-year probationary period.

Israel is the first non-EU member to join the organisation. The European decision will benefit Israel on both a scientific and economic level, as it allows Israel’s science and technology industry to be eligible to apply for grants and to bid in CERN tenders.

Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin has welcomed the European decision, saying it shows that one can engage in scientific projects with the EU without involving political considerations.

An official ceremony to celebrate Israel’s membership is scheduled to take place within a few weeks in Geneva.