Israeli arms makers black-walled at Paris Air Show

Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel

A black wall blocks an Elbit display at the Paris air show in France on June 16, 2025. (Defense Ministry)
A black wall blocks an Elbit display at the Paris air show in France on June 16, 2025. (Defense Ministry)

The Defense Ministry condemns a last-minute decision by organizers of the Paris Air Show, acting on behalf of the French government, to bar Israeli companies from displaying offensive weapons systems just one day before the exhibition opened at Le Bourget Airport.

According to the ministry, the move breaks with standard global practices and was carried out overnight after Israeli defense officials had already completed setting up their booths.

After the Defense Ministry refused to comply, organizers erected black walls isolating the Israeli pavilions from the rest of the exhibition — including those of Turkey, China, and others.

Calling the decision “outrageous and unprecedented,” the ministry accuses the French side of hiding behind “political considerations” to sideline Israeli technologies that compete with French defense industries — particularly as Israel is waging what it called a “necessary and just war” against regional threats.

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