PARIS: In a rare move underscoring growing diplomatic strain, French authorities ordered the closure of four major Israeli defense company stands at the Paris Airshow after they failed to comply with regulations prohibiting the display of offensive weaponry.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the decision came after Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Uvision did not remove offensive or kinetic weapons from their exhibits, as directed by a French security agency.
While the affected firms were barred from continuing their exhibitions, three smaller Israeli stands without weaponry and a booth representing the Israeli Ministry of Defence remained open to the public.
The incident reflects increasing French unease with the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, particularly in the wake of its military operations in Gaza and broader regional actions. Once strong allies, Paris and Tel Aviv have found themselves increasingly at odds diplomatically.
The closure of the Israeli stands has drawn criticism from Israel, which considers the move politically motivated and damaging to bilateral ties.
