The organizers of the Eurosatory 2026 fair taking place at the Nord Villepinte exhibition center in Paris on June 15-19 informed about the ban for Israel. “In accordance with the decision of the French government Only Israeli exhibitors presenting air defense systems are permitted to present” – said Charles Beaudouin, president of the trade fair organizer COGES Events.
Israel accuses France of discrimination
As the Times of Israel website writes, Paris' decision caused outrage in the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The ministry claims that this is a “shameful decision dictated by political and commercial calculations.” France was accused of applying discriminatory restrictions against Israel, which are not applied to other countries, “which constitutes a direct violation of established norms governing international defense exhibitions.”
In a statement, the Israeli Ministry of Defense argues that France “acts in direct contradiction to the principles it claims to defend” and emphasizes that Israeli offensive systems have proven effective in the fight against “terrorist organizations and regimes that threaten not only Israel, but also regional and global stability.”
Tension is growing between France and Israel
The Times of Israel notes that the French government's decision was made in the face of growing tensions between the two countries. In April this year Israel suspended all orders for defense equipment from France in response to “French actions that harmed Israel's security,” including a ban on Israeli military aircraft from using French airspace.
Last year, the organizers of the Paris Air Show arms fair closed the exhibition stands of four arms companies from Israel. In 2024, the French authorities did not agree to the participation of exhibitors from Israel in the Euronaval naval arms fair in Paris.
