French authorities ordered the closure of a dozen Israeli company stands at a major international defense and security exhibition near Paris on Monday, prompting sharp criticism from Israeli officials.
The move comes amid ongoing strains in French-Israeli relations. France recognized Palestinian statehood last year, and in recent weeks barred two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country.
According to a statement provided to AFP by event organizer Coges Events, the stands at the Eurosatory defense and security exhibition were closed for failing to comply with participation conditions imposed by French authorities.
Coges Events said it was obligated to implement the government’s decisions. “As a result, 12 booths had to be closed,” said Charles Beaudouin, the company’s head.
French authorities have prohibited the display of Israeli offensive weapons at the 2026 edition of the exhibition, allowing Israeli companies to showcase only equipment and products related to air defense and ballistic missile defense capabilities, Beaudouin said.
Israel’s Defense Ministry rejected the justification, stating that the affected exhibitors had complied with what it described as the French government’s “outrageous demands.” The ministry accused France of attempting “to conceal Israeli technological superiority from the world.”
Three major Israeli defense companies, including Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael, remained present at the exhibition on Monday. However, unlike exhibitors from other countries, they did not publicly display weapon models, according to an AFP journalist at the event.
Israel’s ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, condemned the decision, calling the treatment of Israeli companies unacceptable.
“France is losing a large share of this international market,” Zarka told AFP. “And the way it is responding is by engaging in competition that is inadequate and frankly unfair.”
Among those affected was Amit Manor, chief executive of Amit Industries, whose stand was among those closed. Manor said he was surprised by the decision, noting that his company manufactures electric batteries used in drones, communications systems and robots.
According to Manor, a French government team had previously approved his participation before he was later informed that his stand would be shut down.
The Eurosatory exhibition is being held from June 15 to 19 at a venue north of Paris. Israeli defense companies were barred from exhibiting at the event in 2024.
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