Israel accuses Eurosatory of 'boarding up' defense pavilions

Israel's Defense Ministry on Monday accused organizers of the Eurosatory defense exhibition in France of covering Israeli industry pavilions overnight, claiming the move came despite companies adhering to strict limits imposed by Paris on military hardware displays. Ministry spokesperson posted on the social media platform X that exhibition management had boarded up the stands after Israeli firms agreed to showcase only air defense systems.

Compliance with demands

"Overnight, the management of the Eurosatory exhibition boarded up Israeli defense industry pavilions despite these companies having met the French government's demands and displayed solely defensive systems," the statement said. The spokesperson noted that affected companies had fully complied with requirements to display only defensive systems, not offensive combat hardware.

Diplomatic tensions

The incident marks the latest escalation in a dispute that began when French authorities barred official Israeli participation at this year's exhibition, prohibiting a national pavilion and restricting displays to defensive technologies. Israeli officials previously condemned the French decision as "a disgraceful decision, one that reeks of political and commercial calculation," highlighting growing friction between the two governments over Israel's military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

Exhibition details

Eurosatory, held biennially near Paris, ranks among the world's premier defense and security trade shows, drawing military delegations and manufacturers from across the globe. No immediate response was available from exhibition organizers or French government officials regarding the Israeli allegation.