France bars Israeli officials, offensive weapons from Eurosatory defence exhibition

France has banned Israeli government representatives from attending the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris this month and restricted Israeli firms to displaying only air defence products, the Israeli defence ministry announced on June 1, 2026.

The ban also prohibits opening an Israeli national pavilion at the exhibition, which runs from June 15 to 19 in Villepinte, near Paris. The Israeli defence ministry said in a statement that as a result, the ministry “will be unable to participate in the exhibition or establish a national pavilion.”

“This is a disgraceful decision, one that reeks of political and commercial calculation,” the Israeli defence ministry said, hinting that France was also barring Israeli companies because they compete with the French industry. The ministry added that the decision “places France again and again on the wrong side of history.”

Coges Events president Charles Beaudouin confirmed the restriction to AFP, saying that under the French government’s decision, “only Israeli exhibitors presenting anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft defence systems are authorized.”

The move deepens a diplomatic rift that saw France recognize Palestinian statehood in September 2025 and Israel announce in March 2026 it would stop all defence procurement from France. It also follows French authorities barring Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering France in late May 2026 after footage showed detained flotilla activists blindfolded and with their hands bound as he looked on.

Israeli firms were also excluded from Eurosatory in 2024 over the Gaza war. In 2025, France allowed Israeli firms to participate but only with defensive equipment. The French government did not immediately reply to requests for comment.