French authorities have blocked access to the stands of four Israeli arms companies during the international aviation fair "Paris Air Show", on the grounds that they had exhibited "offensive weapons" in violation of established agreements, writes A2 CNN.
The blocked stands were those of Rafael, Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Uvision – which produce guided bombs, missiles and drones used in Israel’s military campaigns, including in Gaza. Black walls erected around the stands served to obscure the exhibits, prompting harsh political and diplomatic reactions.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the French decision a "scandalous" act and demanded its immediate correction. He told French television LCI: "This is like creating an Israeli ghetto in the middle of Paris."
The Israeli Defense Ministry also reacted with a harsh statement, calling the decision a form of “discrimination and segregation.” IAI company president Boaz Levy compared the scene to “the dark days when Jews were separated from European society.”
Meanwhile, the Rafael company described France's action as "unprecedented, unjustified and politically motivated." Two US Republican politicians, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Senator Katie Britt, who are attending the fair, called the French decision "absurd" and "reckless."
Meanwhile, several other smaller Israeli stands, which did not have military equipment on display, as well as a stand by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, remained open to the public.
The organizers of the Paris Air Show have said they are holding talks to find a solution acceptable to all parties. This year's edition of the fair is attended by more than 2,400 companies from 48 countries, including about 75 companies from the arms industry. Nine Israeli companies had registered to participate, a smaller number than in previous years, after efforts by some NGOs to exclude them due to their involvement in the conflict in Gaza. (A2 Televizion)
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