6/17/2024–|Last updated: 6/17/202406:07 PM (Mecca time)
The Eurostory Arms Exhibition opened its doors – today, Monday – outside Paris, amid an ongoing legal controversy over the participation of Israeli companies, as all 74 Israeli companies were previously banned from participating in the international exhibition.
The French Ministry of Defense had stated regarding this ban, saying, “The conditions for accepting Israeli companies in the French exhibition are no longer met, in the context of President Emmanuel Macron’s call to stop Israeli activity in Rafah.”
The ministry explained to the companies that it would also have the authority to ban the display of Israeli weapons.
France’s decision is a painful blow to the heart of the industry in Israel, because the exhibition represented a golden opportunity to demonstrate its new knowledge and innovations in the field of armament and to display the defense expertise that it boasted all over the world, under the slogan “The Invincible Army.”
On the other hand, the Israeli security service classified this French ban as an attempt to put pressure on Israel after the war on Gaza.
According to Avi Pizner, the former Israeli ambassador to Paris, these decisions remind us of dark periods in French history, saying, “After the Jewish regime, we now have a regime for the Israelis in France.”
Last week, a French judge ruled in favor of 4 non-governmental organizations that demanded a ban on Israel’s participation in the exhibition.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territories, the French President commented, saying, “It is necessary to reach a ceasefire that guarantees the protection of the population in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages, and full access to humanitarian aid.”
The Eurostory Arms Fair, which is held every two years in Paris, is one of the largest arms fairs in the world.
This year, the presence of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Ukraine represents a new event among the 43 countries participating in the exhibition.
While China’s return this year, after the Corona pandemic, reflects its strong representation in this exhibition, where at least 64 Chinese exhibitors are expected to participate.
More than 1,700 exhibitors are scheduled to participate this year, to meet manufacturers and startups from all over the world, and public and private actors in the field of defense and security, to exchange experiences with the best experts, institutions and NGOs, discover the latest in technology and innovations and understand perspectives and changes. In this sector.
