The unusual restrictions that France imposes on Israel at an international exhibition

Dozens of Israeli companies planned to exhibit this year at the arms exhibition, which will take place between June 14 and 16, 2026. Apparently, their participation is not prohibited according to the latest reports, and it is possible that they will continue with their plans to exhibit non-offensive weapons during the days of the exhibition. However, there will not be an official booth of the Department for Defense Exports of the Ministry of Defense (SIBT) or of an official body on behalf of the State of Israel.

The statement from the Ministry of Defense states that “the French decision includes: a ban on the participation of government representatives in the exhibition, a ban on the opening of an Israeli national pavilion and a ban on the Israeli defense industries from presenting offensive weapons, but only air defense products. This is in an unequal way compared to other industries in the world and contrary to the norms accepted at international exhibitions.” The ministry condemned the decision, saying that it is “a shameful decision that gives off a heavy scent of political and commercial considerations, and unfortunately, it is not surprising.” France is considered a serious competitor of the Israeli arms industry around the world, and in Europe in particular. Among other things, it is not a partner in the air defense umbrella initiative that Germany is promoting to Europe by purchasing the “Hats 3” system and other advanced systems.

The Ministry of Defense wrote that “France, which prides itself on the values ​​of freedom and democracy, is acting in complete opposition to the values ​​it claims to represent, and is supposedly covering itself with a fake political consideration to exclude from an international exhibition an Israeli offensive missile whose quality is immeasurably better than the French one. This, after the Israeli technologies demonstrated extraordinary performance with precision and effectiveness against terrorist organizations and regimes that threaten not only Israel, but regional and global stability as a whole.”

The last time the exhibition was held, about two years ago, a series of prohibitions and restrictions were imposed on Israeli companies and the Ministry of Defense at the last minute. A decision made by the organizers of the exhibition, following a government directive in May 2024, was rejected by a high court in Paris, but only after the exhibition had already taken place. This caused a lot of damage to Israel’s image, among other things, after the move was seen as supporting those who demanded the suspension of arms supplies to Israel and claimed that it was committing genocide in Gaza. Last year, at the last minute, access to the pavilions of the Israeli companies at the La Bourget air show was blocked.