>>113553791"Although Israel is not geographically located in Europe, it is a member in many European transnational federations and frameworks, and takes part in many European sporting events and the Eurovision Song Contest"
"EU-Israel relations are underpinned by the 2005 Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy. The Action Plan aims to gradually integrate Israel into European policies and programmes and also established 10 sub-committees that meet regularly to discuss priorities and exchange views."
"Israel benefits from the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), which provides most of the funding under European Neighbourhood Policy. For the period 2014-2020, the sum of 2 million euros per annum in ENI funding is foreseen for cooperation with the government of Israel to cover Twinning projects. Israeli non-governmental bodies are eligible for support under a variety of programmes funded under ENI and other EU budgets. For more information see Projects.
Israel benefits from Erasmus+ , the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport."
It's as close as can be without full membership. One might even say it's in the transitional phase before it
