France has prohibited Israeli military companies from exhibiting at the upcoming Euronaval trade show in Paris, signalling deepening diplomatic tensions between the two nations, according to the Wall Street Journal. While Israeli delegations are still permitted to attend, their military contractors have been barred from showcasing their weapons.
The Euronaval fair, scheduled for 4-7 November, is a significant event in the naval warfare industry, featuring major international companies like BAE Systems, Naval Group, and Fincantieri. Seven Israeli firms, including prominent names such as Rafael, Elbit Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries, had been scheduled to participate.
This ban follows a series of diplomatic disputes between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Previously, France had also banned Israeli firms from participating in the Eurosatory event, one of the largest land armament fairs, held in June. Although a court later overturned the decision, the ruling came too late for Israeli firms to join the event.
Macron has recently called for a suspension of arms deliveries to Israel if those weapons are being used in Gaza and Lebanon. In a private discussion, Macron reportedly reminded Netanyahu not to disregard United Nations resolutions, emphasising that Israel’s creation was itself the result of a UN resolution. These remarks have reportedly provoked anger from Netanyahu.
The French president has further criticised Israel’s military actions, describing its strikes in Lebanon and Gaza as indiscriminate and unjustifiable. The Elysee Palace released a statement expressing Macron’s outrage over the injury of UN peacekeepers in Naqoura by Israeli forces, urging Israel to cease such targeting.
Diplomatic tensions have intensified following a failed 21-day truce deal between Israel and Hezbollah, which was brokered by France and the US to facilitate negotiations. The agreement collapsed after Israeli strikes killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, leaving both France and the US caught off guard, according to Reuters.