Organizers at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport on Monday blocked access to the Israeli pavilion, where nine Israeli companies, including major weapons manufacturers, were scheduled to showcase their latest wares. It was unclear who issued the order, and show organizers did not respond to requests for comment. The path to the pavilion was obstructed, and the pavilion itself was draped in black cloth.
The move came as a surprise, despite rising tensions between Israel and France over the war in Gaza and the French government’s stated intention to recognize a Palestinian state. No prior measures had been taken against the Israeli companies slated to participate in the fair.
Last year, Israeli companies were prevented from participating due to a decision by the French government and President Emmanuel Macron. However, a local court reversed the decision, allowing Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elibit and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to send representatives to the event.
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"The Paris Air Show organizers, acting on instructions from the French government, ordered the removal of offensive weapon systems from Israel's pavilion last night, contrary to standard practices at security exhibitions worldwide," the Defense Ministry said in a statement. Ministry Director General Amir Baram informed the organizers that Israel rejects the demand. "The unilateral action was carried out in the middle of the night, after Defense Ministry and industry representatives had completed preparations for the Israeli display," the statement added.
The ministry described the move as an unprecedented and troubling initiative by the organizers, driven by political and commercial motives. It came, the ministry said, “at a time when Israel is waging a just war to eliminate a nuclear and ballistic threat hanging over the Middle East, Europe and the entire world.”
Ministry officials accused the French of using political pretexts to sideline Israel as a competitor to the local arms industry, particularly in light of Israeli defense systems’ performance during recent operations against Iran. The ministry urged the French government and event organizers to reverse the decision and remove the barrier separating the Israeli pavilion from the rest of the exhibition.