France has officially prohibited Israel from participating in the upcoming Eurosatory defence exhibition scheduled for this month in Paris. According to statements from Israel’s Defence Ministry, French authorities have prevented Israeli government representatives from attending this prominent event and have disallowed Israel from setting up a national pavilion.

The ministry also indicated that while Israeli defence companies will be permitted to showcase air defence systems, offensive weaponry and military equipment will be excluded from the exhibition floor. This decision represents a further deterioration in the relationship between Paris and Jerusalem.

Previously, France had barred Israel’s Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory. The ban came after he promoted a video that featured him taunting activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla who were detained by Israeli security forces.

Israeli Reaction to the Decision

In response to the ban, Israel’s Defence Ministry expressed its disapproval, labelling the measure as politically motivated and discriminatory. A statement referenced by The Times of Israel described the decision as a “disgraceful decision” driven by “political and commercial calculation”.

Israeli officials contend that the restrictions placed on their exhibitors are not being imposed on other nations attending the event. The ministry accused France of breaching accepted international norms for defence exhibitions, arguing that the move unfairly targets Israel.

Furthermore, the ministry rejected France’s efforts to differentiate between offensive and defensive military systems, asserting that the nation is “acting in direct contradiction to the principles it claims to uphold.” They highlighted that Israeli offensive systems have effectively countered “terrorist organisations and regimes threatening not only Israel, but regional and global stability at large.”

Escalating Tensions Between France and Israel

This incident follows months of escalating disagreements between the governments of France and Israel. In April, Israel’s Defence Ministry announced that it would cease all defence procurement from France, citing French actions that allegedly undermined Israel’s security interests.

Israeli officials had raised concerns regarding France’s reported decision to restrict Israeli aircraft from utilising French airspace for operations connected to the conflict involving Iran. The ongoing disputes surrounding Eurosatory are not unprecedented, as Israel has previously encountered restrictions at major defence events held in France.

Reports indicate that French authorities initially banned Israeli defence firms from participating in the 2024 Eurosatory exhibition before later reversing the decision. During the 2025 Paris Air Show, event organisers faced backlash after constructing black partition walls around Israeli company displays that showcased offensive weapons systems.

Eurosatory is regarded as a key event in the global defence and security calendar. Held biennially in Paris, it ranks among the largest and most influential exhibitions in the sector, serving as a significant marketplace for countries to showcase military technology, broker defence agreements, and discuss future security challenges.

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