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World
France has shut down 12 Israeli company pavilions at the Eurosatory defense and security exhibition near Paris, sparking criticism from Israel.
The French authorities have ordered the closure of 12 pavilions belonging to Israeli companies at a major international defense and security exhibition held near Paris, provoking anger from the Israeli government.
This move occurs amid escalating tensions between Paris and Tel Aviv, following France's recognition of a Palestinian state last year and its recent refusal to allow two far-right Israeli ministers to enter French territory.
According to a statement from the event organizer Coges Events, as reported by Agence France-Presse, the Israeli pavilions at the Eurosatory arms and trade fair were closed due to "non-compliance with participation conditions set by the French authorities," with the company confirming it was compelled to enforce official decisions.
Coges Events' chairman, Charles Baudoin, specified that the decision resulted in the closure of 12 pavilions.
In the 2026 edition of the exhibition, France had banned the display of Israeli offensive weapons, permitting only the exhibition of equipment related to air defense and ballistic missile defense.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense responded by stating that the pavilions were closed "despite the companies' compliance with the absurd French demands," accusing Paris of attempting to "conceal Israeli technological superiority from the world."
At the exhibition venue, the pavilions of three major Israeli companies specializing in air defense, including Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael, remained open but did not publicly display any weapons models, unlike participants from other countries.
Israel's ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, described the French authorities' treatment of Israeli companies as "unacceptable," asserting that France is "losing a significant share of the international market" and resorting to "unfair competition."
From the corporate side, Amit Manor, CEO of Amit Industries, expressed his "complete surprise" at the decision, explaining that his company manufactures electric batteries for drones, communication systems, and robotics. He added that a French government team had initially approved his participation before he was later informed of his pavilion's closure.
The Eurosatory exhibition is taking place from June 15 to 19 at a convention center north of Paris. Israeli companies were also prohibited from displaying their products at the 2024 edition of the event.
