Israeli Defense Firms Banned from Eurosatory Arms Fair in Paris

France has prohibited Israeli defense industry companies from participating in the Eurosatory 2024 defense fair, scheduled to be held this month in Villepinte near Paris.

This decision, announced by the event's organizers Coges Events and the French Ministry of Defense on Friday, aligns with France's condemnation of Israel's military actions in Gaza.

According to Reuters, the French Defense Ministry linked the ban to the ongoing Israeli assault on Rafah in southern Gaza, stating, "Conditions are no longer met to host Israeli companies at the show at a time when the President is calling for Israel to cease operations in Rafah." This follows an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that killed 45 people, prompting international outrage.

“I discussed with the Prime Minister further the French decision to forbid an Israeli delegation from participating in the Eurosatory Security Fair. I emphasized to him that the decision ultimately rewards terror, and asked that France re-consider the decision,” Israeli war cabinet minister Benjamin "Benny" Gantz said in a post on X.

Initially, 74 Israeli companies, including IsraFRel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, were set to attend the fair from June 17 to 21. Israeli officials, including war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, criticized the ban, claiming it "ultimately rewards terror."

Activist groups such as ASER, Stop Arming Israel, Urgency Palestine, and the France-Palestine Solidarity Association had previously issued warnings to prevent the sale of weapons potentially used in Gaza. Coges asserted that Eurosatory is solely for presenting defense and security equipment, not for arms deals.

Israel is the ninth largest arms exporter globally, with defense exports reaching $12.5 billion in 2022. The ban impacts Israeli defense firms significantly, especially given the prominent role of UAVs, missiles, rockets, and air defense systems in their exports.