French Government Pressures Israeli Arms Display at Paris Airshow Amid Ongoing Conflict
The four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow have been closed after exhibitors reportedly declined to remove certain weapons from their displays. According to sources reported by The Guardian, these stands were concealed from public view following pressure from the French government. The exhibitors include Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI, and Uvision. Meanwhile, three smaller Israeli stands that did not showcase hardware, along with an Israeli Ministry of Defence stand, remained accessible.
The Airshow, which has been a staple in aerospace events since its inception in 1909, is currently taking place in Le Bourget, northeast of Paris, running from Monday to Sunday. This decision comes against the backdrop of an intensifying conflict in the Middle East.
Reuters has reported that the French authorities instructed the closure after Israeli companies failed to comply with directives from a French security agency concerning the removal of offensive or kinetic weapons from exhibition stands. France, a long-time ally of Israel, has started to adopt a more stringent stance towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government regarding its actions in Gaza and military operations abroad. Just last Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated support for Israel's right to self-defense, while simultaneously urging all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and pursue de-escalation.
Israel's defense ministry has publicly rejected the order to withdraw specific weapons systems from display, prompting exhibition organizers to erect black partitions that separated the Israeli industry pavilions from the others. The ministry criticized the decision as an "outrageous and unprecedented" attempt to suppress competition, suggesting that France is using alleged political grounds to keep Israeli offensive weapon systems hidden from view at an international exhibition—systems that pose competition to French industries.
IAI's president and CEO, Boaz Levy, remarked that the black partitions evoke painful memories of times when Jewish individuals were segregated from European society. On Monday, images taken by the AFP agency depicted yellow lettering on one of the black walls surrounding the stands, alongside an illustration of the Israeli flag, stating, "Behind these walls are the best defense systems used by many countries. These systems are protecting the state of Israel these days. The French government, in the name of discrimination, is trying to hide them from you." This section of black wall later appeared to be replaced with a white wall.
U.S. Republican politicians present at the airshow have also spoken out against the decision. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders described the move as "pretty absurd," while Senator Katie Britt criticized it as "shortsighted."
Meshar Sasson, a senior vice president at Elbit Systems, accused France of stifling competition and pointed to several contracts that Elbit has secured in Europe. "If you cannot beat them in technology, just hide them. That’s what it is because there’s no other explanation," he said according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Rafael has called the closure "unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated."
The organizer of the airshow has stated that it is currently engaged in discussions to help reach a favorable resolution for all parties involved.
Related Sources: