Published on 6/15/2026
On Monday, the Israeli Ministry of Defense published scenes that it said document the closure of the pavilions of Israeli security industries by the management of the Eurosatory Defense and Security Exhibition in Paris with wooden planks.
It stated that the closing of the supply department’s security industries wings occurred last night, claiming that this came despite its commitment to the conditions imposed by the French government and its offer of defensive combat systems and means only.
The French authorities informed the Israeli Ministry of Defense, in early June, preventing the establishment of an Israeli national pavilion at the exhibition, which will be held from the 15th to the 19th of this month.
It also prevented the participation of representatives of the Israeli government, while allowing Israeli companies to display air and missile defense systems only, without offensive weapons and equipment.
Eurosatori is one of the largest defense and security exhibitions in the world. It is held every two years in Paris, and more than 2,600 exhibitors from various countries are expected to participate in its current session.
‘A cynical and unequal measure’
In 2024, France excluded 74 Israeli companies from participating in the exhibition, so the new decision constitutes the second French measure related to Israeli participation in the exhibition, in light of mounting international criticism of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense said that the move represents a “cynical and disproportionate” measure, and aims to exclude Israeli technology from one of the most prominent international defense exhibitions, according to its description.
She added that the decision was not surprising, considering that it comes “as part of attempts to prevent the display of Israeli technological and military capabilities to participants and visitors.”
The Ministry of Defense stressed that “the Israeli security industries continue to prove their efficiency and operational capabilities in various arenas in the Middle East,” she said.
She stressed that she would continue to support and market Israeli defense industry exports in global markets, despite what she described as “French attempts to hide Israel’s technological superiority.”
Relations between Paris and Tel Aviv have been tense – since late 2023 – against the backdrop of French positions critical of the war in Gaza and Lebanon, in addition to political differences between the two sides regarding regional and international files.
The Israeli government – led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – protested French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision last year to recognize a Palestinian state.
