Final - the CERN Council unanimously approved Israel's accession

Minister of Science Yaakov Perry: Science prevailed over politics

The Council of CERN - the European Organization for Nuclear Research - unanimously approved the accession of Israel as a full member of the organization
Minister of Science Jacob Perry: The scientific interest prevailed over the political interests

Today, December 12, 2013, the Council of the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN, which operates the largest particle accelerator in the world, approved the accession of Israel as a full member of the organization. The decision was unanimously adopted by the 20 European countries that are full members of the organization. Since 2011, Israel has been in the status of an associate member of the organization and now that its accession has been approved, Israel is the first member of the organization that is geographically located outside of Europe. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Space is a leading factor in the relationship with the organization and is also responsible for transferring the payment to the organization every year.
Beyond the scientific prestige conferred by membership in the organization, admission as a full member allows Israeli industry to participate in various tenders related to the particle accelerator, to be represented in the organization's management, to submit applications for scholarships to Israeli students, and of course to integrate Israeli scientists into the accelerator's research groups.

About 40 Israeli scientists currently work in the organization, who divide their time between working at a university in Israel and doing research in Switzerland. Among the Israeli scientists conducting research in the accelerator: Prof. Giora Mickenberg and Prof. Elam Gross from the Weizmann Institute, Prof. Eliezer Rabinowitz from the Hebrew University, and Prof. Shlomit Tarem from the Technion. Among the Israeli scientists active in the organization, there are 22 doctoral students and four post-doctoral students.

"Israel is the only country outside of Europe that will participate as a permanent member, this is both a scientific and political achievement that joins a series of similar achievements in recent years. Israeli science continues to prove that it has the power to bridge our political differences with Europe. Israel's membership in the organization will allow Israeli researchers access to research infrastructures that are among the most advanced in the world", noted today the Minister of Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Perry, "I am happy that the global scientific interest in Israel joining the project has prevailed over the political interests".

According to Prof. Eliezer Rabinowitz of the Hebrew University, Israel's representative on the organization's council, "the decision is a happy recognition of the value of Israeli science and technology. The inclusion of Israel as a society with equal rights is the result of excellent cooperation between many academic and governmental parties, the ability to reach this moment warms the heart."

The president of the Israeli National Academy of Sciences, Prof. Ruth Arnon, reacts to the news tonight: "For many years, Israel has been a partner in European scientific activity and contributes significantly to the advancement of research conducted at the CERN accelerator. The Academy accompanies the groups of scientists through the National High Energy Academy Committee, which provides guidance and support for their outstanding activity. We are very happy that in this vote tonight, Israel fully enters as a member of CERN, something that will strengthen the possibilities of Israeli research and contribute to the promotion of the overall scientific activity at CERN. I am proud and full of appreciation for the significant certificate of honor that the Israeli scientists are receiving today - this is a landmark and an expression of the appreciation that the European scientific community has for their Israeli colleagues." Words of the President of the Academy.

Following Israel's accession as an associate member in 2011, Serbia also joined in 2012. Cyprus and Ukraine will become associate members when their parliaments ratify the agreement. Discussions are now taking place with Slovenia regarding membership, and with Brazil, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey who have applied to become associate members. Romania is in the status of a candidate for membership, following a complaint it submitted before the new procedures came into force.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research is the world's largest center for particle research and is also responsible for operating the world's largest particle accelerator located in Switzerland - LHC. This is the largest accelerator in the world in terms of length, construction cost and the energy that the accelerated particles reach. The organization operates as an international science center where physicists, engineers and technicians from around the world work and research.

The previous news - from last night

 CERN - the European Organization for Nuclear Research - will today vote on Israel joining the organization as a full member

Minister of Science Yaakov Perry: A significant step for the continuation of scientific cooperation between Israel and European countries

Today, December 12, 2013, the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN, which operates the largest particle accelerator in the world, is expected to vote on Israel joining the organization as a full member. Since 2011, Israel has been a member of the organization. The vote tomorrow will be made by the council of the organization, which currently includes 20 European countries. The decision must be made unanimously by all companies to approve the joining.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Space is a leading factor in the relationship with the organization and is also responsible for transferring the payment to the organization every year. If the accession is approved, Israel will be the first member of the organization that is geographically located outside of Europe.
In the past year, Israel has made a number of adjustments that the organization requires from any country that seeks to be accepted as a full member of it, such as passing legislation that gives effect to the organization's protocol that grants legal status to the CERN organization in Israel, as well as immunities and privileges for the organization, its officials, the representatives of the member states and the secretary general of the organization.
"This is a significant step for science in Israel and a fruitful continuation of the scientific cooperation between Israel and European countries," said Minister of Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Perry today. "The Israeli scientists will benefit from the possibilities of access to knowledge and the advanced scientific infrastructures in the organization, and the organization will benefit from the brilliant Israeli minds that will contribute to the advancement of research in the organization. We hope that the global scientific interest in Israel's joining the project will prevail over the political interests."
The European Organization for Nuclear Research is the world's largest center for particle research and is also responsible for operating the world's largest particle accelerator located in Switzerland - LHC. This is the largest accelerator in the world in terms of length, construction cost and the energy that the accelerated particles reach. The organization operates as an international science center where physicists, engineers and technicians from around the world work and research.

December 12 2013

Council CERN - The European Organization for Nuclear Research - unanimously approved the accession of Israel as a full member of the organization

Minister of Science Yaakov Perry: The scientific interest prevailed over the political interests

Today, December 12, 2013, the Council of the European Organization for Nuclear Research approved CERN, which operates the largest particle accelerator in the world, the accession of Israel as a full member of the organization. The decision was unanimously adopted by the 20 European countries that are full members of the organization. Since 2011, Israel has been in the status of an associated member of the organization and now that its accession has been approved, Israel is the first member of the organization to be located in GeogRafit outside Europe. Ministry of Science, Technology and Space He is a leading factor in the relationship with the organization and is also responsible for transferring the payment to the organization every year.

Beyond the scientific prestige conferred by membership in the organization, admission as a full member allows Israeli industry to participate in various tenders related to the particle accelerator, to be represented in the organization's management, to submit applications for scholarships to Israeli students, and of course to integrate Israeli scientists into the accelerator's research groups.

About 40 Israeli scientists currently work in the organization, who divide their time between working at a university in Israel and doing research in Switzerland. Among the Israeli scientists conducting research in the accelerator: Prof. Giora Mickenberg and Prof. Elam Gross from the Weizmann Institute, Prof. Eliezer Rabinowitz from the Hebrew University, and Prof. Shlomit Levenberg from the Technion. Among the Israeli scientists active in the organization, there are 22 doctoral students and four post-doctoral students.

"Israel is the only country outside of Europe that will participate as a permanent member, this is both a scientific and political achievement that joins a series of similar achievements in recent years. Israeli science continues to prove that it has the power to bridge our political differences with Europe. Israel's membership in the organization will allow Israeli researchers access to the most advanced research infrastructures in the world," the Minister of Science, Technology and Space noted today Jacob Perry, "I am happy that the global scientific interest in Israel's joining the project prevailed over the political interests."  

According to Prof. Eliezer Rabinowitz From the Hebrew University, Israel's representative on the organization's council, "The decision is a happy recognition of the value of Israeli science and technology. The inclusion of Israel as a society with equal rights is the result of excellent cooperation between many academic and governmental parties, the ability to reach this moment warms the heart." 

The Organization European for Nuclear Research It is the largest center in the world for particle research and is also responsible for operating the largest particle accelerator in the world located in Switzerland - LHC. ThisThe largest accelerator in the world in terms of length, construction cost and the energy that the accelerated particles reach. the organizationOperates as an international science center where physicists, engineers and technicians from around the world work and research.

For details: Livy Oz, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Science, Technology and Space, 02-5411172, 050-6231443