French weapons fair closes some Israeli booths, prompting protest

Organizers of the Eurosatory 2026 arms exhibition in France shut down overnight the booths of some Israeli companies that had planned to exhibit, according to a Ynet report. The move was similar to what happened at last year’s show.

The closures did not affect all Israeli exhibitors. Only booths presenting offensive weapons were reportedly closed, while companies showing defensive systems remained open, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and Elbit.

Employees from Controp, whose booth was shut, responded by writing a message on a sign placed by the organizers in front of their stand: “Controp’s long-range cameras defeated Iranian ballistic missiles, but lost to French short-sightedness.”

An Israeli representative at the fair told Ynet, “We are not giving up on the French and we are exhibiting.” Israel’s military attaché in France also said, “We will be there and fight for our right to exhibit like everyone else, regardless of politics or commercial competition.”