France closed four booths of Israeli weapons at the Paris Air Show

France closed the main booths of four Israeli companies at the Paris Air Show because these companies displayed bombs and other offensive weapons. This move was condemned by Israel.

Reuters reported that a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday (June 16) that French authorities ordered the closure of these booths because Israeli companies failed to follow the instructions of French security agencies to remove assault weapons or kinetic weapons from the booths.

These exhibition stands are used by Elbit Systems, Raphael Airlines, Israel Aerospace Industries and Uvision. Three smaller Israeli booths and one booth of the Israeli Ministry of Defense remain open.

France has long been an ally of Israel, but it has become increasingly critical of the Netanyahu government's actions in Gaza.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense said it had flatly refused the order to remove some weapon systems, while the exhibition organizers erected a black wall to separate the Israeli Industrial Pavilion from other pavilions.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense also added that this move was carried out late at night after Israeli defense officials and enterprises completed the construction of the exhibition stand.

This outrageous and unprecedented decision is replete with policy-driven and commercial considerations.

The French hide behind so-called political considerations and exclude Israel's offensive weapons from international exhibitions - these weapons compete with French industries.

Sasson, senior vice president of Elbit Systems, condemned the decision of France.

If you can't defeat them technically, hide them, right? That's it, because there is no other explanation.

Raphael Airlines said that France's move was "unprecedented, unjustified and politically motivated", and expressed full support for the Israeli Ministry of Defense's failure to comply with orders.

The organizers of the air show said in a statement that they were in negotiations, attempting to help "all parties find a favorable outcome for the situation".