The recent Paris Air Show has created new friction between Israel and France, with barriers erected around Israeli military displays, highlighting ongoing political disagreements.
Walls Surround Israeli Weapons at Paris Air Show Amid Tensions
Walls Surround Israeli Weapons at Paris Air Show Amid Tensions
Israel reacts to French officials' controversial decision to isolate its arms displays following the Gaza conflict.
June 16, 2025 - The Paris Air Show, a significant event in the defense industry calendar, has become the center of controversy as barriers were erected around Israeli exhibits, isolating them from other global competitors. The Israeli Ministry of Defense criticized the French government's decision, describing it as "outrageous."
After being initially barred from the event last year due to protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, Israeli companies were permitted to participate this year. However, their displays were walled off overnight, a move seen as a reaction to ongoing tensions regarding military operations in the region. This action came as President Emmanuel Macron's administration contemplates recognizing a Palestinian state, a prospect Israel adamantly opposes.
While the construction of the wall seemed unconnected to recent Israeli military operations targeting Iran's nuclear program, it underscores France's longstanding concerns about regional security. Israeli officials reported that French authorities mandated the removal of offensive weaponry from their displays, a categorization that generally encompasses heavy military equipment like missiles, tanks, and drones.
The Paris Air Show, with its expected attendance of around 300,000 visitors and exhibitions from over 2,400 companies across 48 nations, now finds itself entangled in a diplomatic conflict, testing relations between Israel and France.
After being initially barred from the event last year due to protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, Israeli companies were permitted to participate this year. However, their displays were walled off overnight, a move seen as a reaction to ongoing tensions regarding military operations in the region. This action came as President Emmanuel Macron's administration contemplates recognizing a Palestinian state, a prospect Israel adamantly opposes.
While the construction of the wall seemed unconnected to recent Israeli military operations targeting Iran's nuclear program, it underscores France's longstanding concerns about regional security. Israeli officials reported that French authorities mandated the removal of offensive weaponry from their displays, a categorization that generally encompasses heavy military equipment like missiles, tanks, and drones.
The Paris Air Show, with its expected attendance of around 300,000 visitors and exhibitions from over 2,400 companies across 48 nations, now finds itself entangled in a diplomatic conflict, testing relations between Israel and France.
