Israel has blasted a decision by French authorities to shut down stands at the Paris Air Show belonging to four Israeli Defense companies.
According to Reuters, the stands were closed overnight after the four companies refused to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from their display stands.
On the opening day of the Paris Air Show on June 16, 2025, stands belonging to Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI, and Uvision were seen with black partitions surrounding them in exhibition halls.
In its report of the development Reuters said that three smaller Israeli defense firms’ stands were open as usual, as was an Israeli Ministry of Defense display area.
In a statement Israel’s Ministry of Defense said: “This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations. The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition – weapons that compete with French industries.”
When asked to remove the sensitive displays, the request was rejected. Following this black screens were erected.
It is understood that Paris Air Show organizers are trying to broker discussions to resolve the situation.
According to Politico, a French official said that authorities told Israel weeks ago that no offensive weapons should be displayed. The Israeli ambassador to France reportedly agreed.
