Military Space News
MILPLEX
Israel vows court fight as France walls off displays at Paris Air Show
Israel vows court fight as France walls off displays at Paris Air Show
by Sheri Walsh
Washington DC (UPI) Jun 16, 2025

Israel's Defense Ministry said it plans to fight back after the French government Monday blocked its weapons system displays at this week's Paris Air Show, after Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.

France's Foreign Ministry defended the decision to erect black partition walls around five Israeli arms manufacturers and block access to the stands, which displayed "offensive weapons," according to the government.

"From the beginning, we gave clear instructions that were conveyed to the Israelis, namely: a ban on the display of offensive weapons at the Bourget exhibition," says the Quai d'Orsay.

France claims Israel's embassy agreed to its terms not to display the weapons, but an Israeli diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that while it was discussed, it was never agreed to.

"This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," Israel's defense ministry said in a statement.

"The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition -- weapons that compete with French industries."

Ministry of Defense Director General Maj. Gen. Amir Baram called the decision "absolutely, bluntly anti-Semitic" and accused France of "commercial exclusion to prevent successful Israeli industries from competing with French ones."

"We're not backing down. We're filing court petitions today," Baram said Monday.

Last week, a French court blocked a petition by NGO's to ban Israel from participating in the air show due to "international crimes." Israel's ongoing war in Gaza dates back to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

The five Israeli companies hidden from view include Elbit Systems, Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries, Uvision and Aeronautics. A French official said Monday the walls around their exhibits would be removed "once they respect the rules."

"They actually did say that if we don't do that, they're going to cover our stand or cover the items," according to an Elbit Systems spokesperson. "When we came in, we saw that not only did they cover them, they completely closed the stands."

The Paris Air Show, one of the largest trade fairs in the aerospace-industry, opened Monday amid an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. It is taking place at Le Bourget in Paris through next Sunday.

Israel launched an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities Friday. The strike killed Iran's nuclear scientists and researchers. It also hindered the Islamic regime's ability to enrich uranium to use in a warhead. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel over the last four days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

"You cannot have a nuclear weapons, which means you cannot enrich uranium," Netanyahu told Fox News' Special Report.

This is not the first time France has blocked Israel from displaying its wares. Last year, France banned Israeli defense contractors from participating in the Eurosatory trade show in Paris and the Euronaval trade show in November. Despite a court finding in favor of the companies on the eve of the event, it came too late for them to set up.

"Covering our systems with black curtains doesn't hide their impact -- it exposes the discomfort some feel with our success," Yoav Tourgeman, chief executive officer of Rafael, said in a statement Monday.

"This isn't just an insult to Israel -- it's a failure of principle. We stand proud, unhidden and undeterred."

Related Links
The Military Industrial Complex at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
MILPLEX
South Korea in 'final stages' to sign major tank deal with Poland
Seoul (AFP) June 10, 2025
South Korea is in the "final stages" of negotiations to potentially sign a major deal to supply K2 tanks to Poland, according to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Tuesday. In 2022, the two countries signed a $13.7 billion arms deal - Seoul's largest to date - which included South Korean K2 tanks and fighter jets for Poland, Ukraine's ally and neighbour. The negotiations for the potential upcoming deal - part of the broader 2022 agreement - are "in the final stages, ... read more

MILPLEX
Trump's Golden Dome rethinks defense against long-range threats

NATO chief urges 400-percent rise in alliance's air defence

Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

MILPLEX
Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'

Israeli hospital, Tel Aviv area struck by Iranian missiles: officials

Iran says 'main target' of attack that hit Israel hospital was military site

Iran hits Tel Aviv after overnight Israeli strikes on Tehran

MILPLEX
Two Iranian drones shot down in Iraq by international coalition: officials

AI-enabled control system helps autonomous drones stay on target in uncertain environments

Jordan says intercepted drones, missiles in its airspace

Russia says killed man attempting drone attack on military site

MILPLEX
Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

Skynet 6A reaches integration milestone as Airbus prepares next-gen military satellite

Enveil Secures DIU Contract to Advance Hybrid Space Architecture Data Capabilities

Retired four-star US admiral convicted on corruption charges

MILPLEX
Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict

Innovative solutions for climate control in military forward bases

Finnish MPs approve withdrawal from anti-mine treaty

B61-13 gravity bomb reaches first production milestone ahead of projected timeline

MILPLEX
Spain pushes back against mooted 5% NATO spending goal

Israel vows court fight as France walls off displays at Paris Air Show

Sweden parties back govt's defence spending hike

Chile's defense policy shift carries high costs

MILPLEX
Kallas says Russia doesn't 'stand a chance' if NATO sticks 'together'; Putin says rearmament not a 'threat'

Israel-Iran war: Trump weighs direct U.S. involvement

Putin, Xi 'strongly condemn' Israeli strikes on Iran, urge diplomatic solution

Europe facing security 'perfect storm': EU defence chief

MILPLEX
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.