Israel Announces Legal Action Against French President Macron Over Exclusion From Arms Fair

Latest Developments

Israel plans to take legal action against French President Emmanuel Macron for his decision to ban Israeli companies from a Paris arms fair, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced on October 20. Last week, reports emerged that the French government had decided to bar Israeli companies from showcasing their arms at Euronaval, an international naval weapons exhibition that begins in Paris on November 4.

Responding to the ban, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wrote on X that “France has adopted, and is consistently implementing, a hostile policy towards the Jewish people,” adding that Israel “will continue defending our nation against enemies on 7 different fronts, and fighting for our future — with or without France.” On October 20, Katz stated that the Israeli Foreign Ministry intends to facilitate “diplomatic and legal actions” against the “boycott.”

Notably, Paris is slated to host Turkish and Chinese companies at Euronaval in November. Turkey, a member of NATO, is increasingly turning from the West, as evidenced by Ankara’s bid to join BRICS, an economic bloc launched by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa that sees itself as an alternative to institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and, ultimately, any institutions regarded as being in the camp of the United States.

One day before Katz’s announcement, Euronaval released a statement clarifying that Israeli companies are welcome to exhibit at the trade show so long as “their products are not used in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.” However, that distinction makes little practical difference. Eitan Zucker, the Chief Executive of Israel Shipyards Ltd. explained that “the security embargo on Israel requires Israel to rely on itself and develop a strategic, local and independent military industry.”

In May, France banned Israel from participating in Eurosatory, an international arms show held outside of Paris. A French court overturned that decision, but the legal ruling did not land in time for Israeli companies to participate in the exhibition.

Israel’s exclusion from Euronaval is the latest setback in relations between Paris and Jerusalem. On October 5, Macron called for an arms embargo on Israel, telling French radio that “the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza.” He then implied that Israel owes its existence to the international community, commenting during an October 15 cabinet meeting that the Jewish state “was created by a decision of the UN.”

Expert Analysis

“After the Hamas atrocities of October 7, President Macron declared his ‘unreserved solidarity’ with Israel. One year later, Macron’s version of ‘solidarity’ involves stigmatizing Israel’s exercise of the core right of any state — to defend its population against threats to their well-being and security. But for companies from repressive states like China and Turkey, as far as this defense expo is concerned, it’s business as usual.” — Ben Cohen, FDD Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Manager

“Macron’s ban on Israeli defense companies plays directly into Hamas’s strategy of maximizing Palestinian suffering in order to isolate Israel. This decision will only make Israel less safe and worsen the plight of the Palestinians.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

Related Analysis

“Victorious Left-Wing Coalition in France Pushes for ‘Immediate Recognition’ of Palestinian State,” FDD Flash Brief

“Down and out in Paris and London,” by Ben Cohen

“European Union Foreign Ministers Threaten Israel With Prospect of Sanctions,” FDD Flash Brief