The decision prompted a backlash from Israeli defense representatives and sparked a protest at the venue, according to Bloomberg.
Event organizers said they were ordered by French authorities to erect black partitions around exhibits from five Israeli firms, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems—the maker of the Iron Dome.
The last-minute move was made overnight Sunday into Monday after the companies did not follow an earlier agreement not to display offensive weaponry from their booths, according to a French official who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Organizers said the action was carried out at the direction of the French government. "The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries," Israel’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement. The ministry said it was not given prior warning and asked organizers to take the wall down.
At other booths in the event, manufacturers from the United States, Brazil, Turkey, and other countries displayed an array of military systems and commercial aircraft, which traditionally dominate the annual industry gathering.
Not all Israeli stands were affected. Smaller booths that did not showcase offensive arms were left untouched, as was an exhibit hosted by Israel’s Ministry of Defense.
In response to the blackout, Israeli participants at the event wrote a message in yellow chalk on the black panels: “Behind these walls are the best defense systems used by many countries. These systems are protecting the state of Israel.” The message was later covered by tarps.
A French official claimed the companies had broken an earlier agreement not to display offensive weapons. He said the move aligned with France’s position: while Israel has the right to defend itself, the country cannot support offensive Israeli arms amid global scrutiny of its Gaza campaign.
The restriction comes amid fighting between Israel and Iran escalating for a fourth day and humanitarian agencies warn of a worsening situation in Gaza. Israel’s military campaign, which followed the October 2023 attack carried out by Hamas terrorists, has led to the destruction of Gazan infrastructure and tens of thousands of people dead, drawing condemnation from rights groups and some of Israel’s European allies. French President Emmanuel Macron recently warned that Europe may need to toughen its position toward Israel if conditions in Gaza do not improve.
