In a move that raised new tensions between France and Israel, the French government decided to prevent Israeli companies from participating in the Euronival naval arms exhibition, scheduled to be held next November.
The exhibition organizers explained that the French government informed them yesterday, Tuesday, of its decision to approve the participation of Israeli delegations in the Euronival 2024 exhibition, without pavilions or a display of equipment, noting that “the decision concerns seven Israeli companies.”
The organizers stressed that “Euronival is preparing to receive every company and every visitor in the context of respecting international and governmental directives,” noting that the 29th edition of the exhibition, which will be held between the fourth and seventh of November, is preparing to receive approximately 500 companies and 22,000 visitors.
This decision comes after a similar ban 4 months ago, when France banned the participation of Israeli companies in the Eurosatori arms exhibition in Paris, as part of its efforts to pressure Tel Aviv to end its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The measure also comes at a sensitive time, as diplomatic relations between the two countries are witnessing escalating tension, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron’s call to impose a ban on the supply of weapons that could be used in the war on Gaza.
The Euronival exhibition is considered the most prominent exhibition in the field of naval weapons in the world, and the company “Masvenot Yisrael” was scheduled to participate in it, which was planning to establish a large pavilion on an area of tens of meters to display its products, including the ship “Reshef 80” and the ship “Mini Shaldag.” , designated for monitoring and objection tasks, according to what was reported by the Israeli newspaper Calcalist.
Commenting on the French ban, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that it is a “shame” for Paris that the Euronival exhibition dedicated to maritime defense will not host any Israeli pavilions or equipment during its session next month at the request of the French government.
Gallant wrote, in a post on the France “adopted, and is constantly implementing, a hostile policy towards the Jewish people.”
Possible repercussions
“Masvenot Yisrael” announced its intention to appeal the French decision by resorting to the judiciary, considering that the decision represents unacceptable discrimination against it.
Eitan Zucker, the company’s general manager, said, “This is the second time that Israeli companies have been prevented from participating in international arms exhibitions in France, and this is in addition to a creeping and silent ban on purchasing Israeli weapons.”
Zucker stressed the need for Israel to strengthen its local defense capabilities in these circumstances, saying, “We must rely on our capabilities and develop our independent defense industries.”
In addition to the legal action led by the “Masvenot Yisrael” company, the Federation of Israeli Industries is also seeking to file a lawsuit against the French decision, as the president of the federation, Ron Tomer, explained that this measure is considered “unfair” and inconsistent with global trade rules.
Tomer pointed out that the French government allowed Israeli delegations to attend without allowing them to display their products, which he described as an “unjust decision.”
Tomer expressed his concern that this policy would prevent Israeli companies from participating in other future exhibitions, including the “Air Salon” scheduled to be held in Paris next year, saying, “If we do not succeed in this battle, Macron will repeat the same step against us in the next year.” Air Salon Exhibition.
It is worth noting that this French step comes in light of a politically and diplomatically charged atmosphere on the international scene, with continuing tensions in the Middle East region, which further complicates relations between Paris and Tel Aviv, and puts the future of trade and security cooperation between the two countries in trouble.
