The management of the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris blocked Israeli defense industry booths with wooden boards overnight, despite the firms meeting France's demands to display only defensive weaponry, according to the Defense Ministry. The ministry called the move cynical and discriminatory, as it works to boost Israeli defense exports.
The Defense Ministry reported that the Eurosatory defense exhibition, held near Paris, blocked Israeli defense industry exhibit booths with wooden boards overnight Monday, barring their participation despite the firms' compliance with French government demands to display only defensive systems.
The ministry described the act as "cynical, unequal, and not surprising," aimed at excluding Israeli technology from an international venue. It said the quality of Israeli defense tech is proven daily across the Middle East.
This follows a broader pattern of friction at European defense shows. Israel Hayom reported that the ministry's defense export arm continues pursuing record export figures, and the ministry affirmed it will push forward regardless of the French restrictions.
Video and images of the blocked Israeli booths were attached to the ministry's statement. The direct cause cited by Paris was not detailed in the release; the announcement frames the blockade as a discriminatory restriction rather than a security-related decision.
3 developments
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- DevelopingIsrael's Foreign Ministry condemns France's ban on Smotrich entry
- StrongIsrael leads 15-firm defense delegation to Berlin air show as exports hit all-time high
- DevelopingFrance accuses Israeli firm Blackcore of election meddling
Source and signal
- Internal intake