Israel’s foreign minister has called a French president’s decision to bar Israeli firms from an arms expo “undemocratic.”
Israel will challenge a French government decision preventing Israeli firms from participating in an upcoming naval trade show in Paris, according to Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz.
The organizers of the Euronaval exhibition announced last week that French authorities had informed them that Israeli delegations would not be permitted to operate booths or showcase equipment at the event. The trade show is scheduled for November 4-7. Seven Israeli arms manufacturers had planned to participate, according to the organizers.
Tensions between Paris and West Jerusalem have been on the rise in recent months, as French President Emmanuel Macron has become increasingly critical of the Israeli military’s actions in the Gaza war, which has now spread to Lebanon.
Katz stated on Sunday that he had instructed foreign ministry officials “to assist in taking legal and diplomatic action against French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to prevent Israeli companies from showcasing their products at the Euronaval.”
“The boycott of Israeli companies for the second time, or the imposition of unacceptable conditions, are undemocratic measures that are not acceptable between friendly nations. I urge President Macron to cancel them entirely,” the minister emphasized.
In June, a French court prohibited Israeli companies from attending the Eurosatory international arms fair in Paris. However, this ruling was subsequently overturned by the court of appeals.
“Israel stands alone at the forefront of the fight against Iran and the radical Islamic axis of evil. France, along with the entire free world, should stand with us – not against us,” Katz insisted.
On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also criticized the ban, stating that the French president “aids Israel’s enemies during war” by barring Israeli firms from participating in the Euronaval expo. Macron’s actions “are a disgrace to the French nation and the values of the free world, which he claims to uphold,” Gallant wrote on X.
Earlier this month, Macron urged the US and EU to “stop delivering arms” to Israel, emphasizing the need for a “political solution” to the Middle East crisis and warning that Lebanon could become “a new Gaza.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by labeling the French president’s remarks a “disgrace” and asserting that Israel “will win with or without” Western support.