French Court Overturns Ban on Israelis at Defense Exhibition

The decision by a French court prohibiting the entry of Israelis to a defense exhibition was overturned Tuesday. The prestigious exhibition, taking place between June 17-21, is considered one of the most important in the defense industries. The court’s original ban was handed down in response to pressure by pro-Palestinian groups, but it will now be suspended because of the temporary injunction issued on Tuesday.

The ban had prevented Israelis from attending the event in an official capacity as agents or representatives of Israeli arms manufacturers, essentially denying any work-related meetings by Israelis there. Although it did not prevent Israelis outright from attending, the organizers forced Israeli nationals to sign a waiver that they were not there in any official capacity.

The District Court’s now-canceled decision prevented Israeli companies from sending representatives to the confab, just a week after the government announced that Israeli arms manufacturers would not be allowed to showcase their products at the arms exhibition because of the ongoing war in Gaza. The government’s decision at the end of May to prevent Israeli companies from exhibiting at the fair – which led to the cancellation of the participation of dozens of Israeli companies that were supposed to exhibit there – the French court responded to a petition by a pro-Palestinian organization.

The District Court’s ban was unrelated to another measure, which was announced in May by the French government. That decision barred Israeli arms manufacturers from showcasing their products at the arms exhibition because of the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. The government’s decision at the end of May to prevent Israeli companies from exhibiting at the fair – which led to the cancellation of the participation of dozens of Israeli companies that were supposed to exhibit there – was also due to Palestinian sympathizers.