Paris Airshow: Israeli Exhibits Silenced Amidst Weapon Display Dispute
The Paris Airshow saw a dramatic turn of events as organizers blocked the main Israeli company displays. The move, spurred by demands to remove offensive weaponry, highlights rising tensions amid the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict.
Show Shutdown
The French government prompted the closure of the four key Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow, according to sources. Exhibitors reportedly refused to eliminate certain weaponry from their displays at the aerospace industry event. These stands were utilized by Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI, and Uvision. Three smaller Israeli stands and an Israeli Ministry of Defence stand remained open.
French authorities ordered the Israeli companies to remove “offensive or kinetic weapons.” The Israeli Ministry of Defence rejected the directive, and the airshow organizers responded by using black partitions to separate the Israeli industry pavilions from the others.
The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition – weapons that compete with French industries. #ParisAirShow pic.twitter.com/6S96e89w0a
— (@) June 17, 2024
Reaction and Response
“This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations.”
—Israeli Defence Ministry
This year, the defense industry is projected to reach $2.5 trillion in revenue (Industry Report 2024).
Historical Context
The airshow, founded in 1909, is managed by the French Aerospace Industries Association. It is currently taking place in Le Bourget, near Paris. France, historically allied with Israel, has recently shifted its stance regarding Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, particularly concerning actions in Gaza and international military strikes. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging “all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate” concerning strikes on Iran.
Boaz Levy, IAI’s president and chief executive, stated the black partitions reminded him of “the dark days of when Jews were segmented from European society.” Images also captured yellow writing on one of the black walls, next to a drawing of an Israeli flag. This read, “Behind these walls are the best defense systems used by many countries. These systems are protecting the state of Israel these days. The French government, in the name of discrimination, is trying to hide them from you.” The section of black wall was later replaced with a white one.
Two American Republican politicians, present at the airshow, also voiced disapproval. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the move “pretty absurd,” and Katie Britt described it as “shortsighted.” Meshar Sasson of Elbit Systems, accused France of trying to thwart competition.
