Israeli officials have condemned a recent French decision to prohibit Israeli weapons manufacturers from exhibiting offensive arms at the Paris Air Show, labeling the move as discriminatory, politically motivated, and anti-Semitic.
French authorities determined on Monday that several Israeli companies breached an agreement by displaying “offensive weapons,” specifically those reportedly used in Gaza, prompting organizers to install black partitions around their booths to conceal the exhibits.
The Israeli Defense Ministry strongly criticized the action, calling it a “blatant act of anti-Semitism” and accusing France of attempting to suppress Israeli industry competition.
“They are using political pretexts to exclude Israeli offensive weaponry from an international event — weapons that directly rival French products,” the ministry asserted.
In response, France’s Foreign Ministry defended the decision, stating their stance has been “consistent and transparent.” While expressing support for Israel’s defense initiatives — including contributions to the Iron Dome system — Paris emphasized that the promotion of offensive weapons on French soil was unacceptable.
Following government directives, event organizers obscured the displays of companies such as Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, UVision, and Aeronautics. Sources revealed that these firms had violated prior agreements restricting certain exhibits.
Hidden from public view were reportedly air-to-surface missiles and drone prototypes from Elbit and Bluebird Aero Systems. Meanwhile, three smaller Israeli exhibitors without weaponry on display, along with an Israeli Ministry of Defense booth, remained accessible.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced the move as “shocking” and called for an immediate reversal. Speaking on French TV channel LCI, he likened the action to “creating an Israeli ghetto.”
The Paris Air Show’s organizers stated they are actively working to resolve the dispute amicably. The event, held at Le Bourget, hosts over 2,400 companies representing 48 nations.
This controversy unfolds amid escalating missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, now in their fourth day, and mounting international concern over Israel’s military activities in Gaza. On Friday, Israel targeted sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program, killing several senior military figures. Iran reports 224 fatalities from the strikes so far, claiming that over 90% are civilians. Iranian retaliation has resulted in at least 21 Israeli deaths.
