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.
