France has announced a ban on Israeli defense companies participating in Eurosatory, one of the largest arms shows in the world. The decision comes in response to Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the French armed forces ministry stating that the conditions were no longer suitable for welcoming Israeli companies to the show.

According to an official from the French armed forces ministry, the ban on Israeli companies is in line with the statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has called for an end to Israeli operations in Rafah. The French government urgently seeks a ceasefire to protect the people of Gaza, release hostages, and facilitate full access for humanitarian aid.

EU leaders, including Macron, recently condemned an Israeli air attack on refugee tents in Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of at least 46 Palestinians, including numerous children. The conflict in Gaza has taken a toll on civilians, with over 35,000 Palestinians killed in the past eight months since Israel launched its retaliatory assault on the Gaza Strip. The assault was in response to Hamas militants killing approximately 1,200 people in Israel during a violent attack.

Paris' decision to prohibit Israeli companies from participating in Eurosatory is one of the most concrete steps taken by France to express disapproval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing military campaign. The ban places Israeli defense contractors at a disadvantage compared to their competitors, including those from France.

This year, approximately 2,000 companies registered for Eurosatory, with 74 of them from Israel. In previous years, the show has seen over 1,700 exhibitors from 62 different countries, with 62% of them coming from outside France. Eurosatory serves as a crucial platform for defense companies to showcase their latest innovations and facilitate new contracts. Reports suggest that the French defense ministry had already made it more challenging for Israeli companies to participate by implementing requirements for import licenses granted in advance.

The ban on Israeli defense companies at Eurosatory reflects France's firm stance on the Gaza conflict and its support for a ceasefire to protect innocent lives, enable the release of hostages, and allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid.