French Arms Show Blocks Israeli Defense Industry Booths

Israel’s Defense Ministry said on Monday that organizers of the Eurostory arms exhibition in France blocked booths belonging to Israeli defense companies by placing wooden boards around them. The ministry said the companies had met all of the French government’s requirements and were displaying only defensive weapons systems.

In a sharply worded statement, the ministry described the move as cynical, unequal and unsurprising, saying its stated goal was to exclude Israel’s leading technology from an international exhibition. It said the effort was intended to hide Israeli technological superiority from the public.

The ministry also argued that the quality of Israeli technology is proven every day in Middle East arenas, which it said made the attempt to conceal it absurd. Despite what it called French attempts to obscure that achievement, the ministry said it would continue promoting Israeli defense exports around the world.

The Defense Ministry said it is determined to push exports to new highs and to stand firm against any attempt to boycott or humiliate Israel’s defense industries on the international stage. No further details were given about possible next steps at the Paris exhibition.