Paris Air Show: Israeli Weapon Displays Closed Amid Humanitarian Outcry
Paris, June 17 – The French government has ordered the closure of five Israeli exhibition stands at the 55th Paris Air Show, citing concerns over the display of “offensive weapons” amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
According to Le Figaro, the decision was made on the opening day of the air show, rendering the booths of five Israeli arms manufacturers inaccessible to visitors. The action comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and growing diplomatic pressure in Europe.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who toured the showgrounds earlier Monday, confirmed the move and condemned the presence of such weaponry.
“Such weapons should not have been present. France considers the situation in Gaza to be extremely serious from both humanitarian and security perspectives,” Bayrou said.
“We wanted to make it clear that offensive weapons have no place at this exhibition.”
The Paris Air Show, one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense expos, officially opened on Monday and runs through June 22, hosting delegations and defense firms from over 40 countries.
This development follows recent reports that France has proposed a plan to accelerate the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, while Britain, France, and Canada have vowed coordinated diplomatic action over the deepening crisis in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its air and ground operations in the Gaza Strip, as humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave deteriorate rapidly. International aid organizations report widespread destruction, severe shortages of food and water, and a near-collapse of medical infrastructure, with access to humanitarian aid increasingly limited.
