France Bans Israeli Firms From Arms Show Amid Growing Tensions Over Middle East

France has banned Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at an upcoming naval arms trade show, the event’s organizers revealed on Wednesday.

The ban comes as French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration expresses increasing discomfort over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

The decision follows failed French-led efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Israeli airstrikes continuing in the region

Meanwhile, this is the second time this year that France has excluded Israeli firms from a major defense exhibition.

In May, French authorities barred Israeli participation in the Eurosatory military trade show, citing concerns over ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza, which President Emmanuel Macron has openly criticised.

Reuters reports that Euronaval, the organizer of an upcoming defense exhibition in Paris from November 4-7, announced that Israeli delegations would not be permitted to exhibit stands or display equipment, though they would still be allowed to attend.

This decision, according to the statement, was communicated by the French government and impacts seven Israeli firms.

Neither the Israeli embassy nor the French defense and foreign ministries provided comments in response to the announcement.

Meanwhile, Israeli military actions have escalated, with airstrikes and ground incursions against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon caused civilian casualties.

In response, Western allies, including France, have urged an immediate ceasefire.

Diplomatic tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron have also heightened, particularly after a surprise Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, derailing a U.S.-France-brokered 21-day truce intended to pave the way for long-term negotiations.

Netanyahu has refused a ceasefire that does not address Hezbollah’s rearming, while Macron has expressed frustration, especially as U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have been caught in Israeli crossfire.

Macron has also called for a halt to the supply of offensive weapons to Israel, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas militants.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Macron, addressing his cabinet, reminded Netanyahu that Israel’s creation was based on a U.N. decision, a remark later clarified by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot as a general statement on respecting the U.N. charter.

In response, Netanyahu’s office countered by emphasizing that Israel was borne out of its War of Independence, fought by survivors of the Holocaust, including those from the Vichy regime in France.