France infuriates Israel by closing four arms displays at the Paris Airshow
Riffing through the bustling air show in Le Bourget, northern Paris, you'll spot riot police patrolling the blocked Rafael stand and Israeli pavilions. The scene is far from tranquil, underscoring the underlying political friction and compliance drama unfolding.
Backstory and insights:
- The political tensions stem from France's criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza - a move that has strained their traditionally robust alliance.
- Adding fuel to the fire, French authorities demanded that offensive weapons be removed from Israeli company displays at the air show. However, Israeli firms like Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI, and Uvision balked at this order, leading to the closure of their stands and the installation of black walls as makeshift barriers.
- Stirred by the sudden turn of events, Israeli staff have voiced their dissent, flooding the barriers with expressive messages. To keep things from boiling over, riot police have been drafted in to maintain order and ensure public safety.
A solitary spectator gazes at the Embraer E2 on display, seemingly unaware or indifferent to the political drama unfolding within the periphery. Reporters, meanwhile, doggedly cling to Shlomo Toaff, a rep from the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, peppering him with questions.
References:
- https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/06/france-israel-air-show-arms-sales-gaza-war
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/french-authorities-block-israeli-arms-firms-from-paris-air-show/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-deploys-riot-police-as-israeli-arms-companies-clash-with-authorities-paris-air-show-2021-06-16/
- https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210616-paris-air-show-live-blog-israeli-arms-companies-blocked-over-weapons-display-as-france-cancels-deal-with-philippines
- Despite the political friction between France and Israel, international trade in the defense industry, such as the Paris Air Show, continues to be a significant general news topic, with companies like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems still attracting interest from reporters.
- The political tensions have led to compliance drama, with Israeli firms like Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI, and Uvision objecting to the French authorities' demand to remove offensive weapons from their displays, resulting in the closure of their stands and the installation of black walls as make-shift barriers.
- While the air show continues to exhibit cutting-edge technology, the political drama is juxtaposed within the society, with Israeli staff expressing their dissent through messages on the barriers, necessitating the presence of riot police for maintaining order and ensuring public safety.
- The dynamic between France and Israel, influenced by political considerations and war-and-conflicts, has extended to impacting the general business environment, as France has canceled deals with other countries, such as the Philippines, over arms sales.
- As the international community watches this unfold, it serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of business, politics, and society, and the complexities that can arise when delicate diplomatic issues intersect with industrial interests.
