LE BOURGET, France/JERUSALEM, June 16 (Reuters) - In a significant move, France has taken action against four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow, resulting in their shutdown due to the display of bombs and other offensive weapons. This decision has drawn sharp condemnation from Israel, highlighting the escalating tensions between the two traditional allies.
A source familiar with the situation informed Reuters that the directive to close the Israeli stands originated from French authorities. This action followed a failure by the Israeli firms to comply with a directive from a French security agency, which had requested the removal of offensive or kinetic weapons from their displays.
France, historically a staunch ally of Israel, has increasingly adopted a more critical stance towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This shift is largely due to Israel's actions in Gaza and its military interventions abroad. Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified the distinction between supporting Israel's right to self-defense—a position France endorses—and the nation’s military strikes on Iran, which Macron does not advocate.
In response to the French decision, Israel's defence ministry firmly rejected the order to remove certain weapons systems from the exhibition. Reports indicate that the exhibition organizers responded by erecting a black wall to separate the Israeli industry pavilions from other exhibitors. This action was reportedly executed in the middle of the night, after Israeli defence officials and companies had already finalized their displays.
The Israeli defense ministry labeled the French decision as "outrageous" and "unprecedented," suggesting that it was influenced by policy-driven and commercial motivations. The ministry's statement criticized the French authorities for using political justifications to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition—particularly those weapons that compete with French industry offerings.
Meshar Sasson, senior vice president at Elbit Systems, expressed strong disapproval of the French actions. He stated, "If you cannot beat them in technology, just hide them, right? That’s what it is because there’s no other explanation." Sasson pointed to a series of contracts that Elbit has successfully secured in Europe, implying that the French decision may be influenced by competitive market dynamics.
Similarly, Rafael, another Israeli defense firm, described the French action as "unprecedented," "unjustified," and politically motivated. The company expressed its full support for the Israeli ministry of defense's stance against complying with the French order.
The organizer of the Paris Airshow has stated that they are engaged in discussions aimed at finding a favorable resolution to the ongoing situation. The unfolding events underscore the complexities of international defense exhibitions and the intricate relationships between nations, especially when political tensions come into play.
As the situation continues to develop, the implications of France's decision on its relationship with Israel remain to be seen, particularly in the context of future defense collaborations and trade.
Reporting by Paul Sandle, Tim Hepher, Giulia Segreti, and Steven Scheer. Editing by Mark Potter.
