This year’s edition of the prestigious Eurosatory defense exhibition has become the stage for an open diplomatic and industrial conflict. The Israeli Ministry of Defense has strongly criticized what it calls „discriminatory” measures taken to limit the presence of Israeli firms, while event organizers claim the restrictions are dictated by strict French government regulations.
Hidden behind walls: Israeli defense pavilions face unprecedented restrictions in Paris
Overnight, several pavilions belonging to Israeli defense giants were boarded up with temporary walls. Despite the targeted companies’ efforts to comply with demanding requirements to display only defensive systems, many booths specializing in tactical gear, electro-optical systems, and fire control systems remained completely hidden from the public. This situation mirrors similar episodes from 2024 and 2025, when Israeli participation was also the subject of intense legal and political disputes in France.
Defensive systems only: The strict French regulations reshaping the exhibition floor
The exhibition organizers, Coges Events, specified that exhibitors were told they could only show materials and products linked exclusively to anti-air and anti-ballistic missile capacities, with offensive systems being explicitly excluded. In this context, companies like Elbit Systems and Rafael kept their booths open, yet visitors noticed a significant absence of the munitions and weapon platforms typical of such an event. Instead of physical hardware, companies relied on video presentations of directed energy systems to showcase their technological advancements.
Commercial rivalry or politics: Allegations of market protectionism behind the diplomatic veil
Israeli industry officials suggest that the decision by Paris is not solely motivated by geopolitics regarding the situation in Gaza, but also contains an element of economic protectionism. The global success of Israeli technology is perceived as a threat to the dominant position traditionally held by French firms in the European market. While companies in Paris are facing physical and bureaucratic barriers, at the Berlin Air Show held last week, Israeli firms displayed their products without major restrictions, highlighting the contrast between the security policies of the two major European powers.
