Israel accuses France of anti-Semitism over covered display at arms expo
Israel has blasted France for blocking several of its weapons manufacturers from displaying their products at the Paris Air Show, calling the move anti-Semitic, discriminatory and politically driven.
According to media reports, French officials ordered black partitions to be placed around several Israeli weapons exhibits on Monday, saying the companies had violated an agreement not to showcase 'offensive weapons,' including those used in Gaza.
Acting on government instructions, organizers at the Paris Air Show covered the stands of Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, UVision, and Aeronautics. A French government source told media the firms had gone back on an earlier deal restricting such displays.
Among the hidden items were reportedly air-to-surface munitions, drone mock-ups by Elbit and Bluebird Aero Systems. Three smaller Israeli stands without visible hardware, along with an Israeli Ministry of Defense booth, remained open.
The French Foreign Ministry defended the move, saying its position had been 'clear and consistent.' While supporting Israel's defense – including contributing to the Iron Dome – Paris said it 'cannot accept the promotion of such [offensive] weapons on our national soil.'
The Israeli Defense Ministry denounced the decision as 'bluntly anti-Semitic,' accusing France of trying to block competition from Israeli firms.
'The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition – weapons that compete with French industries,' the ministry claimed.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the move, calling it 'outrageous' and urging that it be 'immediately corrected.' Speaking on French television channel LCI, he said: 'It's like creating an Israeli ghetto.'
The show's organizer said it was working to help 'find a favorable outcome.' The week-long expo at Le Bourget reportedly features over 2,400 companies from 48 countries.
The dispute comes as Israel's missile exchanges with Iran continue for a fourth day and global concern over its operations in Gaza grows. On Friday, Israel launched strikes on sites it said were linked to Iran's nuclear program, killing several senior military officials. Tehran claims 224 people have been killed in the attacks since then, and that 'over 90%' were civilians. At least 21 Israelis have died in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
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