Israel to become Associate Member State of CERN

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www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-moves-closer-to-membership-in-european-nuclear-research-institute-1.385067


Israel moves closer to membership in European nuclear research institute

Full membership opens all CERN meetings to Israeli participation and organization research tenders to Israeli technology companies.
By Asaf Shtull-TrauringTags: Israel nuclear


Israel has begun the process of becoming a full member in CERN, the European Center for Nuclear Research, following the signing of an agreement on Friday that will make Israel an associate member in the prestigious institute straddling the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva.

In the wake of the agreement, signed by CERN director general Rolf Heuer and Israel's ambassador to the United Nations institutions in Geneva, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, Israel will hold associate member status for at least two years.





Shimon Peres talking with CERN Director general Rolf Heuer at the particle accelerator in Geneva.



Photo by: CERN



During that time a professional team will prepare its recommendations on upgrading Israel to full membership. The center's 20 members states will then vote on whether to admit Israel as a full member; unanimity is required.

Israel has held observer status in the organization since 1991. This has enabled dozens of Israeli researchers to take part in experiments at the facility's particle accelerators where high-energy physics research is conducted.

Israel also sat in on the open sessions of the CERN council, but had no voting rights.

As a full member, Israel would be able to participate in all CERN meetings and Israeli technology companies could participate in the research tenders that the organization issues.

Currently Israel can only apply for tenders of up to $600,000.

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press.web.cern.ch/press/PressReleases/Releases2011/PR18.11E.html




CERN Director General Rolf Heuer, Israeli Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, H.E. Mr. Aharon Leshno-Yaar and CERN Council president Michel Spiro shake hands. More photos.

Israel to become Associate Member State of CERN


Geneva 16 September 2011. CERN1 Director General Rolf Heuer and Israeli Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, H.E. Mr. Aharon Leshno-Yaar today signed a document admitting Israel to CERN Associate Membership, subject to ratification by the Knesset. Following ratification, Israel will become an Associate Member of CERN for a minimum period of 24 months. Following this period, CERN Council will decide on the admission of Israel to full Membership, taking into account the recommendations of a task force to be appointed for this purpose. Israel has a long-standing relationship with CERN, and has been an Observer at the CERN Council since 1991.

“It is a vital part of our mission to build bridges between nations. This agreement enriches us scientifically, and is an important step in that direction,” said CERN Director General Rolf Heuer. “I am very pleased that CERN’s relationship with Israel is moving to a higher level.”

“I am very happy with this decision,” said Eliezer Rabinovici, Professor and Director of the Institute for Advanced Study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Israel’s scientific observer to Council. “I view it as recognition of the Israeli contributions, both scientific and technological to CERN over the years. The Israeli scientific community is looking forward to the continuation of this joint adventure.”

Israel has a strong tradition in both experimental and theoretical particle physics, with a major involvement in the OPAL experiment at CERN’s flagship accelerator through the 1990s, the Large Electron Positron collider. Israel’s accession to Observer status in 1991 followed an agreement to contribute funds to the CERN budget to support Israeli scientists, as well as providing equipment to CERN. The Israeli fund also contributed to LEP running, supported LHC construction and R&D for future accelerators. During its association with CERN, Israel has also supported Palestinian students at CERN, notably sending mixed Israeli-Palestinian contingents to CERN’s summer student programme.

In 2009, Israel was accepted as a special Observer State, with the right to attend restricted Council sessions for discussions of LHC matters. Israel currently has a strong involvement in the ATLAS experiment, and participates in a number of other experiments at CERN.