France bans Israeli firms from defence fair, days after deadly strike on Rafah camp sparked outrage
- 74 Israeli firms had been set to be represented at the Eurosatory 2024 fair from June 17 to 21. Neither the organiser, nor France’s defence ministry gave a reason
- The decision comes days after the Israeli bombing of a camp for the displaced in the Gaza Strip sparked international outrage and protests in France
France authorities have banned Israeli defence firms from exhibiting at a trade show next month near Paris, organisers said on Friday.
“By decision of the government authorities, there will be no stand for the Israeli defence industry at the Eurosatory 2024 fair,” organisers Coges Events said.
Neither Coges nor the defence ministry provided an explanation.
Seventy-four Israeli firms had been set to be represented at the event from June 17 to 21 at fairgrounds close to Paris’ main international airport, with Coges previously saying around 10 of them were to exhibit weapons.
Contacted by Agence France-Presse, the Israeli embassy said it did not wish to comment.
The incident comes days after the Israeli bombing of a camp for the displaced in the Gaza Strip sparked international outrage and protests in France.
The air raids killed at least 45 people in the town of Rafah in the night of Sunday to Monday in the south of the besieged Palestinian territory, according to local authorities, almost eight months into the latest Gaza war.
