France bans Israeli companies from displaying weapons

By decision of government authorities, there will be no stand for the Israeli military industry at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition, Al Jazeera reported, citing the organizers of Coges Events.

The French defense ministry suggested the move was linked to Paris' opposition to Israel's continued assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.

“Conditions are no longer ripe to welcome Israeli companies to the fair at a time when the president calls on Israel to cease its operations in Rafah,” the ministry told the Reuters news agency.

Seventy-four Israeli companies were expected to attend the June 17-21 event at the exhibition center near Paris' main international airport, with Coges previously announcing that around ten of them would display weapons.

Last week, a group of activists issued a legal warning and urged Coges to take steps to avoid buying and selling weapons that could be used in “crimes” committed in Gaza or other parts of the occupied Palestinian territory.

France's announcement comes just days after Israel bombed a displaced persons camp in Rafah, southern Gaza, sparking international outrage and widespread protests in France.

Israel waged its brutal war on besieged Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out an unprecedented operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its increased atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Israel has imposed a complete siege on the densely populated territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

AMK/PR