France Moves to Block Israeli Exhibitors at Elite Arms Fair

France’s government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, carried out a surprise move on Sunday night to shut down Israeli booths at the prestigious Eurosatory arms exhibition just before the fair opened on Monday, Globes reported. The action came two weeks after Paris told Israel’s Defense Ministry it would not allow official Israeli participation or the display of offensive weapons by Israeli companies.

This is the second time in about two years that Israeli companies have faced a sweeping exclusion from Eurosatory. A Paris court overturned the earlier ban on grounds of commercial discrimination, but only after the show had effectively ended and the commercial and reputational damage was already done. The Defense Ministry also stayed away this time, and while the national pavilion had been canceled, more than a few Israeli companies still intended to attend. The number of registered Israeli exhibitors has fallen from 74 two years ago to fewer than 40 this year, even as the fair is expected to host about 2,600 exhibitors, roughly 1,000 more than in 2024.

Among the companies told to close their booths were Aeronautics, Orbit, Marom Dolphin and Smart Shooter. The article details their businesses and recent deals, including Aeronautics’ drones, Orbit’s communications systems, Marom Dolphin’s tactical gear, and Smart Shooter’s recent IPO at a 900 million shekel post-money valuation.

The French ban was reported by Le Monde to stem from Paris’s protest over the war in Lebanon. France has pushed for an immediate end to the fighting, voiced concern about Israeli forces entering southern Lebanon, and floated the issue at the UN Security Council. Yet, as French Prime Minister Stephane Lecornu said in parliament less than a month ago, “Israel is one of the biggest competitors of the French arms industry.” Globally, France ranks second in arms exports and Israel seventh, with both relying heavily on India and overlapping in markets such as Greece, where Israeli defense firms are also expanding.