This year's Paris Aviation Salon saw a serious diplomatic and commercial grievance between France and Israel. The French authorities, organizing a prestigious fair in Le Bourget, ordered Israeli companies to obscure the presentation of offensive weapons.
This decision, which the Israeli Ministry of Defence referred to as ‘unprecedented’ and ‘distorting’, provoked a violent political reaction and protectionism accusations and politically motivated actions alternatively than ethically.
Israel’s stands — representing Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, UVision, and Aeronautics — were virtually behind black screens. Not only weapons and offensive systems were covered, but besides the full visual context, preventing visitors from accessing information that would usually be presented freely. Only 4 of the 9 Israeli companies agreed to the required restrictions; the others refused and were fenced off. According to the organizers, these stands can be reopened, but only if the offensive weapons are removed. However, Israel does not intend to bow down.
The Israeli Ministry of Defence responded harshly by stating that France's decision violated the principles of global cooperation and was taken for purely political and economical reasons. In Tel Aviv's view, French action is not due to concern for moral neutrality but to the desire to destruct Israeli competition from the European market. At the same time, Israeli military technology, although controversial in any environments, has a key function in the defence of many countries.
The reaction of Israeli representatives was besides firm on the individual level. The CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries compared the situation to a symbolic act of segregation, saying that Israelis were trying to push themselves to the margin of a defensive debate in Europe. He added that this decision shows disrespect for a state that is at war and must defend its citizens under constant threat.
France replies that the decision is not political but moral. The authoritative communication stated that the organizers had informed Israeli companies in advance of the applicable rules, and restrictions only concern offensive weapons, not all Israeli presence. The spokesperson for the French government stressed that the exhibition space must not be utilized to advance products that are utilized in war activities that make controversy in the public. There were no circumstantial conflict names, but the context is clear — Israel’s actions in Gaza.
This situation in Gaza is the background for the full incident. In fresh months, Israel has been repeatedly accused by NGOs and part of the global opinion of crossing the borders of war law. There were even voices calling for sanctions and trade restrictions on the Israeli arms industry. In this context, the decision of France is not isolated. Israeli companies were already excluded from participating in defence fairs, specified as Eurosatory or Euronaval, besides organized in French territory.
However, the Israelis point to the hypocrisy of this attitude. In their view, if France truly wants to be ethical, it should besides subject another countries active in controversial conflicts, specified as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China, to the same restrictions. Yet, they say that Israel, 1 of the most crucial partners in military technology in the West, is becoming the scapegoat in the interior game of French politics.
It is worth noting that the dispute besides has an economical dimension. The Israeli arms manufacture is increasing rapidly and threatens the position of European giants specified as Dassault, Thales and MBDA. In this light, the decision to block the stands can be seen as an effort to defend the French marketplace from external competition. Especially as Paris seeks fresh military contracts in 3rd planet countries, where Israel is simply a strong rival.
Nor can a broader political context be overlooked. The French government is under interior force from the upcoming elections. Part of the electorate demands a clear position on the mediate East conflict. All it takes is 1 scandal or 1 photograph with an Israeli drone against the logo of the French Ministry of Defence to have another media storm burst. For the French authorities, thus, limiting the presence of Israeli companies is besides a preventive action to defend the state’s image as a ‘neutral’ arbitrator.
The case besides sparked a stir in industry. Many experts point out that specified restrictions undermine trust in the European defence fair as a platform for equal access and competition. If exhibitors start to be selected according to political criteria alternatively than technological or economical criteria, the full expression may collapse. This will signal to 3rd countries that Europe is no longer a neutral partner, but a organization in ideological dispute.
Both France and Israel are aware that this dispute can have long-term consequences. Tel Aviv has already announced a review of its policy towards French defence companies. These include limiting joint projects, freezing contracts and reviewing access to Israeli technologies. On the another hand, French companies may lose their ability to cooperate with 1 of the most technologically advanced countries in the fields of unmanned systems, cybersecurity or next generation radar.
The Paris Aviation Salon was to be a place of dialog and presentation of the latest technological developments in the defence industry. Meanwhile, he turned into a field of political battle, where not only arms contracts are at stake, but besides the values of global cooperation. For some, it is simply a sign of courage and ethical responsibility, for others, of censorship and ideological appropriation of economical space.
