France has banned the display of Israeli offensive weapons at the 2026 edition of the Eurosatory international defence and security exhibition which opens on 15 June.
"Only Israeli exhibitors presenting anti-ballistic and air defence systems are authorised," said Charles Beaudouin, president of COGES Events, responding to an Israeli defence ministry statement protesting the restrictions.
"This is a decision by the French government, by the Defence Council," Beaudouin added.
"There is no room for ambiguity: if an exhibitor is also a rocket manufacturer, they will not be allowed to display them. This ensures that no offensive weapons are present," he said.
The Israeli Ministry of Defence denounced the move in a statement saying it would "be unable to participate in the exhibition or establish a national pavilion."
"This is a disgraceful decision, one that reeks of political and commercial calculation, and regrettably, it comes as no surprise. It fits a deeply troubling pattern in French conduct in recent years," it added.
"France, which prides itself on the values of liberty and democracy, is acting in direct contradiction to the principles it claims to uphold.
"It is hiding behind a pretence of political justification to exclude Israeli offensive defence systems from an international forum - systems that have proven far superior to their French counterparts and have demonstrated exceptional precision and effectiveness against terrorist organisations and regimes threatening not only Israel but regional and global stability."
Israeli attacks
France has repeatedly condemned Israeli military action on Lebanese territory since late February, where Israel has been targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
On Sunday, France called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council after the Israeli military seized the crusader-era Beaufort Castle in Lebanon, raising its flag over the strategic site.
During the previous edition of the arms show, in 2024, France cancelled the participation of Israeli arms industry executives after the country's air force bombed a refugee camp in Rafah, killing at least 45 civilians.
A coalition of pro-Palestine groups, including the Association France Palestine Solidarité, Attac and Stop Arming Israel - had lobbied for Israel's exclusion from the show over its offensive in Gaza.
Origins of Satory
The French arms show, held every two years, was first organised in 1967 by the French military procurement agency at Camp Satory, bringing together 30 exhibitors. The first ten editions, known as "Satory," were held at that site.
A major turning point came in 1992, when the exhibition became pan-European, adopted the name Eurosatory, the European Land Defence Exhibition, and moved to the Bourget Exhibition Centre..
The United States participated for the first time in 1994, with most exhibitors coming from NATO countries. The event became fully international in 1996 with the inclusion of manufacturers from the Russian Federation. In 2000, Eurosatory was renamed the International Land and Air Defence Exhibition, and from 2002 it has been held at the Villepinte exhibition centre north of Paris.
The 2026 edition is also taking place there, from 15 to 19 June.
(With newswires)
