France has decided to ban Israeli companies from participating in the Euronaval trade show, scheduled to begin in early November, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. While Israeli delegations will be allowed to attend, contractors will not be permitted to display their military equipment at the event.
This move is the latest development in a growing diplomatic rift between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israel intensifies its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. The decision was made on Tuesday and was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. This marks the second time in recent months that Israel's defense companies have been barred from participating in a French arms fair.
In June, Israeli defense firms were also prohibited from attending Eurosatory, one of the world’s largest land armament trade shows. Although a court later overturned the ban, the ruling came too late for the Israeli companies to participate.
Euronaval, taking place from November 4 to 7 in the Paris suburbs, is one of Europe’s largest exhibitions focusing on naval warfare and will feature major defense contractors such as BAE Systems, Naval Group, Fincantieri, and KNDS. Seven Israeli defense companies, including prominent firms like Rafael, Elbit Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries, were initially slated to present their products.
In recent weeks, Macron has repeatedly called for nations to halt arms deliveries to Israel if the weapons are being used in Gaza and Lebanon. Additionally, during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, Macron reminded Netanyahu not to "ignore United Nations decisions," pointing out that Israel itself was created by a U.N. resolution. Both of these comments have provoked strong reactions from Netanyahu.