At the time of the study’s publication, Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan called on EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to promptly halt the allocation of money to these groups.

Mogherini responded that there was stringent oversight and procedures enacted, promising Erdan that no EU funds were being utilized to promote BDS.

In turn, Erdan directed his ministry to further investigate EU data released between 2017 and 2018, and discovered that despite Mogherini’s assurances, more than $5.6 million was transferred to 10 organizations promoting BDS.

“The time has come for the EU to begin a deep reexamination of its policies,” said Erdan. “Instead of hiding behind empty statements, the European Union needs to implement its own declared policy and immediately cease funding organizations that promote boycotts against the State of Israel.”

The EU responded by negating such accusations. It said any allegations that it supports “incitement or terror, or condoning antisemitism, are unfounded and unacceptable.”

The bloc said it objects to “any attempts to isolate Israel and [does] not support calls [to] boycott [it], nor fund actions that are related to boycott activities.”