France shuts Israeli defense stands at Paris Air Show over displayed weapons

LE BOURGET, France (MNTV) — French authorities have closed the exhibition stands of four major Israeli defense companies at the 55th Paris Air Show, citing non-compliance with restrictions on displaying offensive weaponry, organizers confirmed on Monday.

The affected stands, operated by Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Uvision, were shut down after the firms reportedly refused to remove certain weapons, including bombs and kinetic systems, as directed by French security officials. 

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the order to limit the display of offensive arms was issued prior to the event.

Despite the closures, several smaller Israeli stands without hardware, as well as a Ministry of Defense booth, remained open. The airshow’s organizing committee said it was working with all involved parties “to find a favorable outcome.”

The French decision, which came amid heightened criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and recent strikes on Iran, has underscored growing tensions between Paris and Tel Aviv. 

President Emmanuel Macron last week distinguished between support for Israel’s right to self-defense and opposition to wider regional escalation.

Israel’s Defense Ministry criticized the closures, calling the move “outrageous and unprecedented” and suggesting that political and commercial motives may have played a role. 

Representatives from the affected companies echoed those sentiments, arguing the bans unfairly targeted Israeli defense innovations.

Nonetheless, the exhibition continued without the participation of the four Israeli industry leaders, marking a rare diplomatic and defense-related rift at one of the world’s largest aerospace events.