The French court, which heard the petition of Israeli defense companies against the ban on displaying offensive weapons and against blocking Israeli pavilions with black walls, ruled that it does not have the authority to intervene in the decision of the French government. Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram stated: "The French government's decision deliberately seeks to harm Israeli defense industries. It is sad and immoral to see discrimination based on foreign considerations, covering up a French economic interest to harm competition presented by Israeli industry. The outrageous French decision will achieve the opposite result."