France bars official Israeli participation in Eurosatory defence exhibition

France has decided to prohibit official Israeli participation in the upcoming Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, a move that has drawn criticism from Israel.

According to the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the decision prevents the establishment of an official Israeli national pavilion and excludes Israeli government representatives from participating in exhibition events.

The ministry stated that Israeli defence companies will still be allowed to exhibit certain air-defence technologies. However, the display of offensive weapons and offensive military systems will remain prohibited.

In response, the Israeli Ministry of Defence described the French decision as “shameful and regrettable.” The ministry said the measure was motivated by political and commercial considerations and argued that it imposed restrictions on Israel that are not applied to other participating countries.

According to the Israeli ministry, the decision constitutes a departure from practices normally followed at international defence exhibitions and amounts to discriminatory treatment of Israeli participants.

The ministry further stated that France was acting contrary to principles it publicly advocates and noted that Israeli military systems have been used against what it described as terrorist organizations and hostile actors threatening regional security.

The dispute follows a period of growing tension between Paris and Tel Aviv. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Israel suspended defense purchases and defence-related transactions involving France in April, citing French policies that it said had affected Israeli security interests, including restrictions related to military operations involving Iran.