Israeli defense firms shut down at Paris Air Show over Gaza
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The Israel Aerospace Industries booth, walled off, at the Paris Air Show on June 16. Photo: Colin Demarest/Axios
PARIS — Israeli defense contractors had their booths shuttered at the Paris Air Show on Monday, amid deadly fighting between Israel and Iran.
Why it matters: Israel is a defense-tech powerhouse, and its offerings are in-demand at one of the world's most prestigious aerospace-and-defense events. But Israel is also isolated internationally over its tactics in Gaza and now at the onset of a new war with Iran.
- A spokesperson for the French embassy in Washington said France supports Israel's defense, including through exports of defensive equipment, but is urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- "This is why we do not export to Israel weapons that could be used in Gaza, and cannot accept the promotion of such weapons on French soil," Sébastian Fagart, the spokesperson, said.
- That policy appears to apply specifically to Israel. Companies from other countries are displaying offensive equipment in Paris, such as the Storm Shadow missile with which Ukraine has attacked Russia.
Driving the news: Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy in a statement said his company "received all of the authorizations to participate in the air show," but shutdown orders "came from the highest levels in Paris."
- The closure, Levy added, reminded him of "the dark days of when Jews were segmented from European society."
- Three other Israeli booths were also walled off.
The other side: "From the outset, we have established a clear framework, which was communicated to the Israeli authorities: the display of offensive equipment... is prohibited. The Israeli Embassy in Paris agreed to this framework," said Fagart.
What they're saying: "We are stronger if we are working with our allies. Israel, obviously, has been a very strong ally of not just the United States but the West," U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said at the show when asked about the partitions.
- "While there may be differences of opinion on policy, the more we can continue to communicate and keep talking, the better."
Go deeper: As Europe sweats Trump, U.S. lawmakers seek trade show diplomacy in Paris
