This is a new import from the war between Israel and Hamas, two days after the controversial interview with Benjamin Netanyahu on LCI. Friday May 31, France canceled the participation of Israeli arms manufacturers in the Eurosatory defense exhibition, due to the deadly bombing of a displaced persons camp in Rafah on the night of May 26 to 27. This attack, which left at least 45 dead according to Hamas, sparked international outrage and sparked demonstrations in France.
“By decision of government authorities, there will be no Israeli defense industry stand at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition,” the organizer of the event, Coges Events, told AFP. According to the Ministry of the Armed Forces, “the conditions are no longer met to receive Israeli companies at the French show, in a context where the President of the Republic is calling for Israeli operations to cease in Rafah.”
Shortly after the attack, Emmanuel Macron opened the way for France to recognize the State of Palestine, subject to a few conditions. He called on the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to “implement essential reforms”, but also asked “Israel, the occupying power […] to immediately stop its military offensive and any other action in Rafah.”
Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, then asked France to “reverse” its decision regarding the show. “I discussed with the French Prime Minister” Gabriel Attal, wrote on the former chief of staff. “I stressed that this decision would ultimately reward terrorism and I asked France to reverse this ban.”
Increased pressure
It must be said that this event is economically important: just over 2,000 international exhibitors are expected in Villepinte, from June 17 to 21. Initially, 74 Israeli companies were invited, including the Jewish state’s main defense manufacturers, to present, among other things, weapons. But for several weeks, pressure had increased on the organizers of the show, while several associations supporting Palestine were warning about the arms trade likely to be used by the Israeli army in Gaza.
The French government has repeatedly refused to supply military equipment to the Jewish state, with the exception of components intended for the Iron Dome, the system used to destroy rockets fired by Hamas in flight. “We are fully responsible for exporting components that go into the composition of the Iron Dome,” recalled Patricia Mirallès, the Secretary of State to the Minister of the Armed Forces, before the National Assembly in May.
In 2022, exports of components to Israel represented 15 million euros, or “0.2% of overall exports,” said Minister Sébastien Lecornu.