Paris Air Show Organisers Shut Down Four Israeli Weapon Stand (image-X/@GabeGroisman)

Paris, France: Tension arose at Paris Air Show after four main Israeli company booths were closed after failing to comply with their terms. The organisers had asked to remove bombs and other offensive weapons from their displays.

Blocking the view from dozens of international exhibitors, the wall was placed by the organisers ahead of the air show opening on Monday. The stands were being used by Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI and Uvision.

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The booths were then blocked using black tarps for showing “offensive weapons”, including those which were used in Gaza, which allegedly violated terms made with Israel. Meanwhile, three smaller Israeli stands with no hardware on display and an Israeli Ministry of Defense stand remained open. The air show organizers said they’re engaging in dialogue to resolve the dispute.⁠

Israel’s Defense Ministry said it refused to remove some weapons from display, so the exhibition organisers responded by erecting black screens to block the Israel pavilion.

The action was carried out late at night after Israel’s defense minister and companies had already finished setting up their displays.

France and Israel shared a deep tie which now seems to have been affected following Benjamin Netanyahu’s offensive in Gaza and military intervention abroad. France and Israel have had frosty relations in recent months, with French President Emmanuel Macron increasingly being critical over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, a French appeals court ruled against activist groups on Friday who sought to block Israeli companies from participating in the show due to the war in Gaza.

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The lawmaker working with air show organisers said that the final decision lied with the French government, not the show itself.

The Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget Airport, is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious events for the aerospace and defense industry.