The French government has made a significant decision to ban Israeli companies from exhibiting at the upcoming Euronaval naval defense exhibition, scheduled for early November near Paris. This decision, communicated to the event organizers on October 15, allows for Israeli delegations to attend but prohibits them from having stands or showcasing their equipment, affecting seven Israeli companies.
In response to this ban, Israeli officials have expressed strong condemnation. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the French government on social media, labeling the move as a 'shame' for France and accusing it of fostering a hostile environment towards Israel during a time of conflict. He stated that this discrimination aids Israel's adversaries amid ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The Euronaval exhibition, which is expected to draw nearly 500 companies and 22,000 visitors, will take place from November 4 to 7 at the Paris-Nord Villepinte exhibition center. The organizers emphasized their commitment to comply with international and governmental guidelines regarding participation.
This ban follows a similar incident earlier in the year when the French government canceled the presence of Israeli defense manufacturers at the Eurosatory land defense exhibition, a decision that was later overturned by the courts. The current situation reflects escalating tensions between France and Israel, particularly in light of Israel's military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
