Paris: The Paris Airshow, a premier global aviation and defense exhibition, has been rocked by a controversial decision from French authorities to close four primary Israeli company stands. The move, enacted on the opening day of the show, Monday, June 16, 2025, has ignited a fierce diplomatic row, with Israel condemning it as "outrageous and unprecedented."

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the instruction to shut down the stands came after Israeli firms reportedly failed to comply with a directive from a French security agency. This directive mandated the removal of "offensive or kinetic weapons" from their displays. While organizers, Gifas, confirmed that some stands were closed, they offered no further comment. However, three smaller Israeli stands, which did not feature hardware, and an Israeli Ministry of Defense stand, remain operational.

Israel's Ministry of Defense vehemently rejected the French order, asserting that it had "categorically rejected" the demand to remove specific weapon systems. In response, the ministry stated that organizers erected a "black wall" during the night, effectively isolating the Israeli industry pavilions from the rest of the exhibition. The ministry lambasted the decision, claiming it "reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," and accused France of "hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries."

This incident underscores the increasingly strained relations between France and Israel, traditionally close allies. French President Emmanuel Macron has been notably critical of Israel's actions in the Gaza conflict in recent months. The closure of the stands also follows recent missile strikes between Israel and Iran, further exacerbating regional instability. Macron has urged restraint from Israel while also assigning significant responsibility to Iran for destabilizing the Middle East.

The sudden closure has cast a shadow over what is typically a bustling platform for defense deals and technological showcases. While Israeli defense firms expressed their intent to participate despite ongoing conflicts and flight disruptions, this latest development introduces a new layer of complexity to their presence at the prestigious event. The move highlights how geopolitical tensions are increasingly spilling over into international commercial and cultural arenas, complicating business as usual on the global stage.