Israeli F-15s accompany a US B-1B Lancer over Israel as part of a presence patrol above the US Central Command’s area of responsibility, October 30, 2021. (US Air ForceSenior Airman Jerreht Harris)
The French government is appealing a court ruling that overturned its ban on Israeli defense firms from participating in arms shows in the country. If the government succeeds in its efforts, Israeli firms will be barred from participating in the Paris Air Show in June.
In October, French President Emmanuel Macron barred twelve Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at the prestigious Euronaval defense exhibition, which was held from November 4-7. This marked the second instance of Macron taking action against Israeli defense firms, following their exclusion from the Eurosatory defense and security exhibition in June. In May, France canceled the participation of Israeli defense companies in the Eurostory 2024 arms exhibition which was held in Paris in June.
However, a few weeks later a French court overturned the ban.
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Israel Manufacturers’ Association President Ron Tomer commented on the news saying, “We will not allow anyone to remove us or sideline us from the international defense stage. It is clear to us that the latest appeal is an attempt to prepare the ground for the possibility of preventing us from participating in the prestigious Paris Air Show, but we will not let that happen.”
“We have recruited the best lawyers in France and will fight in any legal court until justice and equality prevail,” he added. “We regret that French leaders have failed to grasp the message from previous cases: we will not allow anyone to remove or sideline us from the international defense stage.”
“Israel is a proud sovereign state, equal to any other in the global community, and we would expect that a country like France, which shares democratic values with Israel, including principles of equality and justice, would not discriminate against Israeli companies compared to those from other nations.”
“The Israeli flag will proudly fly at every exhibition.”
The International Paris Air Show is organized by SIAE, a subsidiary of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS). It is the largest event in the industry, bringing together stakeholders from around the world. The event embodies excellence, innovation, and international cooperation in the aerospace sector.
