PARIS (AP) – Israel's Ministry of Defense has expressed outrage over the installation of black partition walls surrounding its defense industry pavilions at the Paris Air Show. The ministry has labeled this action as "outrageous and unprecedented," calling for an immediate reversal by the French authorities and event organizers. The walls were erected overnight before the air show’s opening on June 16, 2025, visually segregating the Israeli booths from other international exhibitors.

Israeli officials claim that this action followed a last-minute demand from event organizers to remove displays of offensive weapons systems, a request they refused to comply with. The ministry condemned the French authorities for allegedly hiding behind political reasons to exclude Israeli arms that they asserted compete with French products, describing the situation as "ugly and improper." The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been at the center of discussions regarding Israel’s participation in international exhibitions.

Furthermore, a French appeals court ruled against activist groups seeking to prohibit Israeli companies from taking part in the air show, citing legal grounds for their participation. Despite the court's decision, Israel maintains that it has been effectively censored by the actions taken by organizers and French officials.

Sylvain Pavillet, a lawyer involved with the air show organizers, clarified that the ultimate decision regarding which countries are allowed to exhibit rests with the French government, rather than the air show itself. He stated, "The fair is not the one who decides which countries are allowed to go to the show or not. That decision belongs to the government. We are not a state. We are a commercial company."

The Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget Airport, is known as one of the largest and most prestigious aerospace and defense industry events globally. Its significance highlights the controversies and political complexities involved in international defense exhibitions, especially in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions.