The French court tightened the restrictions on Israeli companies at the Eurosatory arms exhibition

The French court ordered to extend the ban on the participation of Israeli arms companies in the biennial arms exhibition ‘Eurosatory’. According to the decision, the ban on participation will apply not only to Israeli companies, but also to those who may represent them.

The exhibition, one of the most important of its kind in the world, will begin this Monday at a fair center in the town of Villepinte near Paris. Many Israelis used to participate in it over the years.

About two weeks ago, the French Ministry of Defense ordered the company organizing the exhibition, COGES, to prohibit the participation of a delegation from Israel, due to “suspicions of war crimes, and even genocide” in Gaza. COGES announced the cancellation of the Israeli booth, which was supposed to include 74 representatives. But pro-Palestinian organizations and those opposed to the distribution of weapons petitioned the court, arguing that the cancellation of the stand is not enough to implement the government’s decision. Yesterday (Friday) the court accepted the petition.

According to the court’s decision, the contents of which reached the French newspaper ‘Le Parisien’, the cancellation of the Israeli stand does not guarantee that the participation of the Israeli companies will be prevented, as required “due to the suspicion of war crimes in Gaza”. The court prohibited access to and participation in the exhibition by “Israeli arms manufacturers”, “any employee or representative of Israeli arms companies” and anyone who may act as an intermediary on their behalf, “in any form”.

Tension between Israel and France over the fighting in the north

Israel and France clashed yesterday after Defense Minister Gallant announced that Israel would not cooperate with a committee set up by France to regulate security on the Israel-Lebanon border. Gallant said that France “showed hostility and enmity towards Israel in its difficult time”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disowned the defense minister’s words. A senior official in the ministry said that France is an important ally of Israel, and mentioned that it participated in thwarting the missile attack from Iran. The senior official said that the Foreign Ministry will cooperate with the committee that France established.

Gallant attacked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his office said that “the senior officials should speak for themselves and not hide. Israel will not give France a position in the discussion about its security needs in Lebanon. This position is shared by the US and Israel.”

A French diplomatic official stated that “We were surprised to read various statements by the Israeli authorities about France’s efforts to de-escalate in the north. We are ready to work with all the relevant parties, including Israel and the US, to that end.”

The diplomat mentioned that France calls on Hamas to release all the abductees, and confirms its strong commitment to Israel’s security.

France is not expected to recognize a Palestinian state, regardless of the election results

The tension between Israel and France is occurring against the background of President Macron’s announcement of snap elections, a step he took last week. This is after Macron’s defeat in the European Parliament elections, and the success of the far-right party led by Marine Le Pen.

Since the announcement of the elections, there has been an upheaval on the political map in France: a union of all the left and green parties has arisen, at the same time as the attempts on the right to unite under Le Pen’s leadership.

About three weeks ago, Diaspora Minister Amichai Shikli met in Spain with Le Pen. Since October 7, Le Pen has declared unequivocal support for Israel. Official Israel boycotts Le Pen and her party, due to the party’s anti-Semitic roots.

The platform on the basis of which the left-wing parties in France united did not include recognition of a Palestinian state – so, in fact, no French party promised to recognize Palestine. Such a move could have led to extensive consequences, due to France’s veto right in the UN Security Council.

On the other hand, in Britain, which also has veto power in the Security Council, the Labor Party pledged this week that if it wins the general elections to be held next month, it will recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. According to all polls, the party is indeed expected to win the elections.