Scope of restrictions and exclusion of offensive weapons
Israel’s response: accusations of “shameful decision” and political calculation
The judicial precedent at Eurosatory 2024
Diplomatic response: confrontation moves to the UN
The French Ministry of Defense has informed Israel’s ministry of the prohibition to officially participate in Eurosatory, the International Arms Fair held biennially in the French capital, considered one of the most important arms markets in the world. This year, Eurosatory takes place from June 15 to 19.
Scope of restrictions and exclusion of offensive weapons
The ban not only involves vetoing Israel from setting up a national pavilion but also prevents representatives of the Jerusalem government from even attending the exhibition.
The French government informed Israeli authorities that “some Israeli defense companies, individually, might be granted permission to attend, but their participation must then be limited to displaying air-defense systems.” Offensive weapon systems will be excluded from the exhibition.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin – Kuba Atys/Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS
Israel’s response: accusations of “shameful decision” and political calculation
Upon receiving the notification, and as reported by the European Jewish Press Service (EJP), Israel’s Ministry of Defense strongly condemned the measure, calling it “shameful”, claiming the restrictions are selectively applied to Israel in violation of accepted rules governing international defense exhibitions.
“This is a shameful decision, reeking of political and commercial calculation,” stated the harsh Israeli ministry communiqué, adding that the measure aligns with what it described as a disturbing pattern in French policy towards Israel in recent years.
Israeli authorities accuse France of “acting against the democratic values they publicly claim to defend by excluding certain Israeli technologies from an international forum.” Meanwhile, Israeli officials argued that the systems in question have demonstrated operational effectiveness and precision in combat against terrorist organizations and hostile regimes.
The judicial precedent at Eurosatory 2024
Israel also points out that the restrictions imposed by France are partly motivated by the undisputed success of the Israeli defense industry and the proven performance of its weapon systems. Demonstrating their worth in real operations poses direct competition to equivalent French systems. In fact, as reminded by Yossi Lempkowicz of EJP, France previously tried to block Israel’s attendance at Eurosatory 2024. However, the Paris Commercial Court overturned the ban less than three weeks later, ruling it “a discriminatory measure.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz – REUTERS/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI
Economic impact on Israeli defense industry exports
Although Israel has many bilateral and multilateral channels for its arms trade, the ban on exhibiting its most advanced devices at the Paris exposition may reduce its exports. These reached a record 19.2 billion dollars in 2025, marking a 30% increase compared to the previous year, and the fifth consecutive annual high, according to information provided by Israel’s Ministry of Defense.
Government agreements accounted for around 10 billion dollars, more than half of the total export contracts.
Analysis of the Israeli arms market and main destinations
Missile, rocket, and air defense systems led exports, representing 29% of the total, followed by observation and optronics systems with 22%, registering a strong 6% increase over 2024. More than half of the contracts closed by Israeli defense companies were valued at over one hundred million dollars. Europe was in 2025 the largest market for these Israeli exports (36%), followed by the Asia-Pacific region (32%) and the Middle East and North Africa (15%).
The Ministry of Defense of Israel attributes these increases to strong global demand for systems already combat-tested by the Israel Defense Forces, as well as reforms aimed at expanding markets and relaxing export regulations.
Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts rockets, seen from Ashkelon, Israel – REUTERS/ AMIR COHEN
Diplomatic response: confrontation moves to the UN
The clash between France and Israel over the veto to participate in the Paris fair also moved to the United Nations headquarters in New York. Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador, who intervened in the emergency session convened by France regarding IDF advances in Lebanon, directly attacked France’s position, which, with the exception of the United States, was supported by the other permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Danon defended Israel against allegations of violating the ceasefire: “Israel,” he said, “did not wake up one morning and decide to stretch by entering Lebanon. It had no other option in view of the intensification of Hezbollah attacks against communities in northern Israel.” He then challenged the French delegate, Jerôme Bonnafont: “What would you do if Spain attacked your country?”, a question he emphasized with a final one: “Would you wait until the [Spanish] drones were flying over Paris?”