France obstructs Israeli arms displays at Paris event

France has blocked five Israeli arms companies from exhibiting certain products at the Paris Air Show, Al-Monitor reported on June 15th. According to a French government source, the companies displayed “offensive weapons”.

A black wall covered the stands of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, Uvision, Elbit, and Aeronautics on June 16th. The companies, which create guided bombs, missiles, and drones, were accused of showcasing items used in Gaza, in breach of terms agreed with Israel, the source said.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog denounced the obstruction as “outrageous” and demanded it be “immediately corrected.”

“Israeli companies have signed contracts with the organisers… it’s like creating an Israeli ghetto,” Herzog said in an interview with French television channel LCI. The Israeli Ministry of Defence also denounced the decision in a statement, saying it a type of “segregation” against the Israeli firms.

“This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations,” the statement said. Rafael, Elbit and IAI manufacture guided bombs and missiles; whereas, Uvision and Aeronautics make drones.

Roughly 75 weapons-related firms were scheduled to take part in the air show, which opened on June 16th at Le Bourget airfield on the outskirts of Paris. Military jets, helicopters and drones are being exhibited, with over 2,400 companies from 48 nations participating.

Nine Israeli companies – which is less than in previous years – were set to have exhibits at the show after a French court dismissed an attempt by NGOs to prohibit them over their purported involvement in the Gaza war.

This comes after France began to soften its stance towards recognising a Palestinian state, according to Al-Monitor via AFP on June 6th.

France is set to co-host a UN conference in New York in late June with Saudi Arabia, which will focus on advancing a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, insisted that such a move must go beyond mere symbolism because of France’s unique responsibility as a fixed member of the UN security council.

Al-Monitor, AFP, Maghrebi.org