France has prohibited Israeli arms manufacturers from displaying offensive weapons at the upcoming Eurosatory international defence and security trade fair, organisers confirmed on Monday. The restriction, imposed by the French government, allows only Israeli exhibitors showcasing anti-ballistic and anti-air defence systems to participate.
Charles Beaudouin, president of COGES Events, which runs the biennial fair, told AFP that the decision came from the French Defence Council. “There is no room for ambiguity: if an exhibitor also manufactures rockets, they will not be allowed to display them. This rules out any offensive weapons,” he said.
The French Armed Forces Ministry clarified the scope: “We have set a clear framework, namely an exhibition limited to Israeli equipment and systems related to air defence and missile defence. Israeli exhibitors who comply with this framework will be able to showcase their companies’ equipment at Eurosatory.”
Israel’s Response
Israel’s defence ministry denounced the measure, stating it would be “unable to take part in the fair or set up a national pavilion there.” In a statement, the ministry called it “a shameful decision, reeking of political and commercial calculation and, unfortunately, it is not surprising. It is part of a deeply worrying trend in French behaviour in recent years.”
This is not the first time Israeli firms have faced exclusion from Eurosatory. During the 2024 edition, the French government barred Israeli companies against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, arguing that “the conditions are no longer in place to host Israeli companies at the fair.” That ban was later overturned by the Paris Commercial Court, which ruled it discriminatory. Similarly, at the 2025 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, Israeli arms companies like Rafael were prevented from exhibiting after they refused to remove offensive weapons from their stands.
France’s stance on Israel has hardened in recent months. Since late February, Paris has repeatedly condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. On Sunday, France called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council after Israeli forces captured Beaufort Castle in Lebanon and raised their flag over the strategic Crusader-era site. France demands UN Security Council meeting after Israel captures Beaufort Castle.
The Eurosatory fair, scheduled for 15–19 June at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre, is a major event in the global defence calendar. Organisers report 2,032 exhibitors from 42 national pavilions, 334 official delegations from 93 countries, and 43,000 professional visitors from 155 countries. The exclusion of Israeli offensive weapons underscores the growing diplomatic friction between Paris and Tel Aviv, as France asserts a more independent line on Middle Eastern security issues.
