In a move that has ignited fury across Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration has once again shown its increasing hostility towards the Jewish state, banning Israeli defense firms from showcasing their cutting-edge technologies at a prominent naval arms exhibition. Despite the Élysée Palace’s attempts to soften the blow with diplomatic doublespeak, the outrage in Jerusalem has been palpable. This decision is the second time in a year that Macron’s government has barred Israeli companies from such major defense expos, leading Israeli officials to decry what they see as a calculated campaign of discrimination against their nation.
French Government Denies Boycott Allegations, Yet Bars Israeli Firms
Despite the French government’s clear decision to prevent Israeli companies from exhibiting at the Euronaval exhibition scheduled for November 4-7, an official in President Macron’s office has denied that Israel is being targeted with a boycott. “There was never any intention to prohibit Israeli companies from participating,” said the Élysée official. “Israeli companies interested in this will of course be able to enter the Euronaval exhibition.” But this thinly veiled attempt to smooth over the controversy did little to mask the fact that seven Israeli defense firms have been told they cannot set up booths or display their world-class military equipment.
Emmanuel Macron bans all Israeli defense companies from the Euronaval Defence Expo in Paris.
— Eye On Antisemitism (@AntisemitismEye) October 16, 2024
Jihadists are welcome, as always. pic.twitter.com/BU62MqPr4s
While Israel has long counted France as an ally, the relationship has been strained by Macron’s increasingly critical stance on Israel’s defensive operations in Gaza and Lebanon. The French president has taken an overtly pro-ceasefire position, openly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah forces, whose violent aggression started this latest conflict. Yet, even as Macron decries Israeli strikes, France itself has been a supplier of defense aid to Israel, a contradiction that has not gone unnoticed by Israeli officials.
Diplomatic Firestorm: Israel Threatens Legal Action
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz did not mince words, branding the boycott as “anti-democratic” and a severe breach of trust between allies. Writing on social media, Katz blasted Macron for this unjustifiable move, calling on France and its European partners to stand by Israel as the nation battles a resurgent “Iranian axis of evil and radical Islam.” The timing of the boycott has been especially galling, coming at a moment when Israeli forces are engaged in a critical struggle against Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz says his ministry is set to take legal action against Macron for banning Israeli defense companies from a defense exhibition in France. pic.twitter.com/8yFbeqKiS6
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 21, 2024
Katz also hinted at legal action, noting that Israel will be pursuing “legal and diplomatic measures” to combat what he described as illegal discrimination. Israeli officials are preparing to take this issue to French courts, arguing that the exclusion of Israeli companies is a clear case of political bias against Israel.
Macron’s Double Standard on Israel’s Right to Defend Itself
What infuriates Israelis most about Macron’s decision is the glaring double standard. While French officials insist that their support for Israel’s right to defend itself has been “unequivocal,” Macron’s repeated calls for arms embargoes and his direct interference in Israel’s defense exhibitions tell a different story. His reasoning for barring Israeli firms — that their equipment is used in operations in Gaza and Lebanon — conveniently ignores the fact that Israel is defending itself from terrorist groups actively seeking its destruction. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant did not hold back, calling Macron’s actions “a disgrace” and accusing France of adopting “a hostile policy toward the Jewish people.”
🚨 Breaking: Israel 🇮🇱 to take legal action against @EmmanuelMacron 🇫🇷
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) October 20, 2024
Statement by Foreign Minister @Israel_katz: “I have instructed the Foreign Ministry to take legal and diplomatic action against Macron's decision to boycott Israeli companies from @SalonEuronaval exhibition.” pic.twitter.com/cYFeojfsai
It is hard to ignore the fact that France, a nation with deep historical ties to Lebanon, continues to shield Hezbollah and downplay the threat posed by this Iranian proxy. Macron’s France has, at times, appeared more concerned with protecting its influence in Lebanon and appeasing Iran than standing with Israel as it defends its borders from existential threats.
Israel: A Nation on the Front Line of the Fight Against Radical Islam
The broader context of this diplomatic spat is Israel’s ongoing battle against Hezbollah, a well-armed terrorist group backed by Iran. Israeli forces launched ground operations against Hezbollah in September following months of increasing skirmishes along the northern border. This fight escalated further after the devastating October 7 attack, when Hamas-led terrorists, in a shock assault, stormed southern Israel, slaughtering nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages. Since then, Israel has been engaged in a dual-front war, battling both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Emmanuel Macron is a “disgrace to the French nation”, Israel’s defence minister said on Wednesday after Paris banned Israeli firms from exhibiting at a weapons show. My latest with @kellyjourno https://t.co/9HDJKvnNme
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) October 17, 2024
Yet, despite the clear and present danger posed by these groups, Macron has chosen to lecture Israel on the ethics of self-defense. His calls for restraint ring hollow as Hezbollah continues to rain rockets on Israeli cities, and Hamas remains entrenched in Gaza, using civilians as human shields.
Conclusion: Israel Will Not Be Bullied
As Israel faces unprecedented attacks on multiple fronts, the last thing it needs is condescending lectures from supposed allies like Macron. The French president’s actions are not just an affront to Israeli companies but an insult to the nation’s very right to defend itself. While Macron attempts to curry favor with international powers by promoting a “balanced” approach, Israel will not be cowed by such diplomatic games. Israel’s message to the world is clear: it will continue to stand strong, defend its people, and fight against the forces of radical Islam — with or without French approval.