Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has announced plans to pursue legal action against French President Emmanuel Macron in response to a controversial decision barring Israeli companies from participating in an upcoming military exhibition in Paris.
The decision to block Israeli firms from attending the “Euronaval” maritime defense trade show, set to be held in November, has sparked fresh tensions between the two nations.
Katz accused Macron’s administration of discriminatory conduct by preventing Israeli companies from showcasing their products at the prestigious event.
Katz stated, “Israel will take legal action against Macron for denying Israeli companies the opportunity to participate in a naval trade exhibition.”
This announcement comes in the wake of a similar ban just four months ago, when France also excluded Israeli companies from the “Eurosatory” arms fair in Paris.
These moves are widely seen as part of France’s pressure campaign aimed at influencing Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The French government informed the event organizers that Israeli delegations would be permitted to attend Euronaval 2024, but without exhibiting any products or having booths.
This restriction applies to seven Israeli companies, raising concerns about the political motives behind the decision.
According to the organizers, this unprecedented action is linked to France’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its desire to push Israel toward halting military operations in Gaza.
