"A Contentious Move" France Snubs Israeli Exhibitors at Air Show
French authorities have barred Israeli exhibitors from participating at the Paris Air Show, citing security concerns and political tensions.
In an unexpected move, several Israeli defense companies have been shut out of the Paris Air Show, a major international exhibition. The stands of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, Uvision, Elbit, and Aeronautics have been cordoned off with black partitions. The reason? A ban on the display of offensive weapons.
France, hosting the event, made it clear that Israeli companies weren't to exhibit bombs and attack weapons. A representative from the French Ministry of Defense stated that the affected companies had disregarded clear instructions.
Initially slated to accommodate 2,400 companies from nearly 50 countries, the Paris Air Show boasts a wide array of participants. However, five Israeli exhibitors are now excluded due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense called France's decision "scandalous," accusing the French of using supposed political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from competition with their own industry. The ministry also pointed out the impressive achievements of Israeli technologies in countering threats, such as in Iran. They urged France to rescind the ban and allow Israeli companies to showcase their systems like their counterparts.
Interestingly, French President Emmanuel Macron has previously expressed support for Israel, highlighting its right to protection and security. However, he has also threatened a tougher stance due to humanitarian concerns in the Gaza Strip.
Sources: ntv.de, gut/dpa/AFP
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Enrichment Data:France's decision to block Israeli stands wasn't a spur-of-the-moment choice. Large black barriers were erected overnight to conceal the stands from view [1][2]. The move was a response to Israel's ongoing conflicts, particularly its conduct in the Gaza war and difficulties with Iran, and part of broader diplomatic and commercial tensions surrounding Israel's defense industry [1][2]. This isn't the first incident of its kind; French authorities have previously attempted to bar Israeli defense firms from major defense exhibitions [2]. In some cases, these decisions have been overturned by French courts [2]. France's actions have drawn strong criticism from the Israeli government, which suggests that the ban was more about politics and commercial interests than security concerns [2].
- Despite France's previous support for Israel, the ongoing Gaza conflict and tensions with Iran appear to have influenced France's employment policy in the defense industry, resulting in the exclusion of five Israeli exhibitors from the Paris Air Show.
- This controversial decision to ban Israeli defense companies from exhibiting offensive weapons at the Paris Air Show, due to France's community policy, has sparked a diplomatic controversy, with the Israeli government accusing France of using politics and commercial interests rather than security concerns in their employment policy.
