French Cargo Workers Refuse to Load Elbit Defense Shipment
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Cargo workers in Paris refused to load a defense shipment from Elbit Systems onto an El Al flight to Israel, following a union boycott. Israeli security officials are working to resolve the issue amid strained Israel-France relations. This follows France's restrictions on Israeli defense firms at arms shows and a broader international move against West Bank settlement trade.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- French cargo workers in Paris refused to load an Elbit Systems defense shipment onto an El Al flight to Israel.
- The refusal is due to a decision by the workers' union to boycott the cargo.
- Israeli security officials are involved in efforts to resolve the crisis.
- The incident occurs amid deteriorating relations between Israel and France.
- France has previously restricted Israeli defense companies at arms exhibitions.
- Similar protests against defense shipments to Israel have occurred in other European ports.
Cargo company workers in Paris have refused to load a defense shipment from Elbit Systems onto an El Al flight scheduled to depart for Israel on Thursday. The refusal stems from a decision by the company's workers' union to boycott the cargo. Israeli security officials are involved in efforts to resolve the situation and ensure the shipment reaches Israel.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Israel and France. In March, Israel's Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Amir Baram, ordered a halt to defense procurement from France and a reduction of engagements to zero. This decision was a response to actions taken by the French government against Israel since the start of the war in Gaza, and part of the Ministry of Defense's efforts to decrease reliance on suppliers from countries limiting security ties with Israel.
Since the October 7th war began, French President Emmanuel Macron's government has restricted the participation of Israeli defense companies in arms exhibitions held in France. In June, France prohibited the Ministry of Defense's official participation in the Eurosatory arms fair in Paris and limited Israeli companies to displaying only defensive systems. Access to the stands of Israeli companies was subsequently blocked with wooden panels, despite their compliance with imposed requirements. Similar measures were taken at the Paris Air Show in 2025.
Macron, along with Britain and Canada, has adopted a firm diplomatic stance towards Israel concerning the Gaza war and policies in the West Bank. Last month, these three countries announced steps to limit trade with settlements, as part of a broader initiative involving 12 nations. Britain also announced a ban on importing products from settlements, intensifying political tensions with Israel.
The boycott of Elbit's shipment follows similar protests by labor unions in Europe against the transfer of defense equipment to Israel. In June 2025, port workers in Marseille, southern France, refused to load a container with machine gun components destined for Haifa. Similar protests have occurred in Italian ports, attempting to disrupt defense shipments to Israel. Elbit Systems declined to comment.
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