TEL AVIV: France has barred Israeli officials from attending a major weapons show in Paris and imposed restrictions on companies from the country exhibiting there.

The French defence ministry said on Monday Israeli companies would be limited to showing equipment and materials related to air defence and missile defence at the Eurosatory exhibition.

Tel Aviv reacted furiously to the move. “This is a disgraceful decision, one that reeks of political and commercial calculation, and regrettably, it comes as no surprise,” the Israeli defence ministry spokesperson said.

“It fits a deeply troubling pattern in French conduct in recent years, a pattern that has consistently placed France on the wrong side of history.”

Israeli-French relations have deteriorated since late 2023, with Paris criticising the Jewish state’s conduct in its actions in Gaza and Lebanon, and the decision by Israel and the United States to launch a war against Iran.

Israel’s right-wing government had also protested at President Emmanuel Macron’s decision last year to recognise Palestinian statehood.

More than 2,600 exhibitors are due to take part in this year’s Eurosatory, one of the world’s largest weapons shows which begins on June 15.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026