Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israeli Ministry of Defense said that France has prevented representatives of the Israeli government from participating in the Eurosatory international defense exhibition scheduled to be held in the capital, Paris, this month.
Ban on official Israeli participation
The ministry added that the French decision is not limited to government officials, but also includes Israeli arms manufacturers.
These companies have been barred from displaying their offensive systems at the exhibition,
and are only permitted to showcase what French authorities described as “air defense products.”
The Israeli Ministry of Defense clarified that the ban also extends to official delegations
that were scheduled to participate in the Eurosatory defense exhibition.
It considered the French move an unprecedented restriction on Israeli participation in an international security event of this magnitude.
French authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement explaining the background or motivations behind the decision,
while observers await its repercussions on defense relations between the two countries.
Restricting the display of offensive systems
According to the Israeli account, Paris only permitted the display of air defense systems, excluding offensive systems.
Tel Aviv considered this a significant reduction in the scope of Israeli industrial participation in the exhibition.
Eurosatory is one of the largest defense events in Europe, bringing together companies and military institutions
from dozens of countries to showcase the latest technologies in land and air defense.
Observers believe the French decision could lead to limited diplomatic tension between the two sides,
especially given the sensitivity of the defense industry and the international competition in this field.
No official French comment has yet been issued in response to the Israeli position.
