Four Israeli defense companies were ordered to shut down their booths at the Paris Air Show following a directive from French authorities. The decision was reportedly made due to the display of bombs and other offensive kinetic weapons in violation of French security regulations.
According to a source cited by Reuters, the companies failed to comply with instructions from a French security agency that had requested the removal of such weaponry from the exhibits. The affected firms include Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Uvision. In contrast, three smaller Israeli booths and a display area operated by the Israeli Ministry of Defense were allowed to remain open.
The incident comes amid strained relations between France and Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron has increasingly criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Following Israel’s missile strikes on Iran last week, Macron called for restraint while also pointing to Tehran’s destabilizing role in the region.
