Israeli defense firms restricted at Paris arms show amid political tensions
Access to several pavilions blocked overnight at Eurosatory exhibition.
The French government is once again blocking Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at the Eurosatory defense exhibition, which opened on Monday in Paris. During the night, exhibition organizers restricted access to pavilions set up by, among others, Aeronautics and Controp, subsidiaries of Rafael, as well as Orbit and Smart Shooter, which manufactures smart sights used, among other things, to intercept drones.
More than 30 Israeli companies are exhibiting at Eurosatory, including the major defense industries, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and Elbit Systems, but access to their pavilions has not been blocked, unlike last year, when at the Paris Air Show access to some Israeli exhibition areas was also restricted.
In recent weeks, the French government informed the Israeli Ministry of Defense that Israeli companies would only be allowed to exhibit defensive systems at Eurosatory, and not offensive systems. This came alongside a demand that the Ministry of Defense not set up an official pavilion and not send official representatives to the exhibition. The background is the sharp criticism the French government has voiced against Israel since the outbreak of the October 7 war and its actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Ministry of Defense responded angrily to the blocking of Israeli pavilions, saying it occurred "despite the fact that the industries met the outrageous demands of the French government and are exhibiting only defensive weapons." They added that "this is a cynical, unequal, and unsurprising move, designed to exclude Israeli technology from an international exhibition, the quality of which is proven every day throughout the Middle East. We will continue to promote Israeli defense exports worldwide to new heights despite French attempts to obscure Israel's technological superiority."
Eurosatory is considered one of the most prestigious arms exhibitions in the world and is held every two years, alternating with the Le Bourget Air Show. Despite the French government’s attempts to restrict the participation of Israeli companies in its defense exhibitions, they continue to attend, often facing repeated restrictions.
"The French demand was that we not present offensive weapons, but only defensive ones, and we complied," a representative of one of the affected companies told Calcalist. "Despite that, during the night they blocked access to these pavilions, regardless of what is being displayed there. The claim that these are pavilions presenting offensive weapons is false."
A senior official involved in the activities of the Israeli defense industries told Calcalist that "it would be better for Israel to reconsider participating in arms exhibitions held in France. Business meetings with customers can also be held at other exhibitions. Last week, the ILA exhibition was held in Germany, which was very successful for Israeli companies, which received appropriate treatment and strong interest from buyers."
The Defense Ministry and defense industries view the French government's actions as attempts to limit Israeli companies on competitive and commercial grounds under the guise of sensitivity to the situation in Gaza. Following the deterioration in relations with France, about three months ago, Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram ordered procurement bodies in his ministry to reduce the scope of contracts with France to zero. The move was largely declarative, as defense imports from France to Israel were minimal in any case.
