Newscasts - Israel furious as France shuts four weapons stands at Paris Airshow

Elbit Systems

16/06/2025 15:58

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Source: 'Reuters - Business videos'

Description: France shut down the four main Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for refusing to remove offensive weapons from display, in a move condemned by Israel and highlighting tensions between the traditional allies. Ciara Lee reports.

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Video Transcript:

France has shut down the four main Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for refusing to remove offensive weapons from display. The move has been condemned by Israel, highlighting tensions between the traditional allies. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou spoke to journalists at the air show.

The French government’s position is very simple, it was that no offensive weapons of war are allowed in the air show. Defensive weapons of war are completely fine, but displaying weapons that are offensive was not possible.

The stands were being used by Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI and Uvision. Shlomo Toaff is director of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Beyond these walls is the display that was shut down by the French government. Half an hour ago, one of our employees wrote on these walls that behind them there are the best air defense systems in the world, used by many countries, and also in our war against Iran nowadays. She was consequently removed from the show by the French government, and what she wrote was covered, on this wall what she wrote was covered by the French government. I guess this is a fine display of democracy by the French.

Three smaller Israeli stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and an Israeli Ministry of Defense stand, remained open. France is a long-time Israeli ally. But it's gradually hardened its position on the government over its actions in Gaza and military interventions abroad. Israel's defense ministry said it had rejected the order to remove some weapons systems from displays. And that exhibition organizers responded by erecting a black wall that separated the Israeli industry pavilions from others. The action, it added, was carried out in the middle of the night.