Israel fumes as France nixes weapons stands at airshow
France has shut down the four main Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for apparently displaying bombs and other offensive weapons, in a move condemned by Israel that highlights the growing tensions between the traditional allies.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday that the instruction came from French authorities after Israeli firms failed to comply with a direction from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands.
The stands were being used by Elbit Systems , Rafael, IAI and Uvision. Three smaller Israeli stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and an Israeli Ministry of Defence stand, remain open.
France, a long-time Israeli ally, has gradually hardened its position on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over its actions in Gaza and military interventions abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron made a distinction last week between Israel's right to protect itself, which France supports and could take part in, and strikes on Iran it did not recommend.
Israel's defence ministry said it had categorically rejected the order to remove some weapons systems from displays, and that exhibition organisers responded by erecting a black wall that separated the Israeli industry pavilions from others.
This action, it added, was carried out in the middle of the night after Israeli defence officials and companies had already finished setting up their displays.
"This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," the ministry said in a statement.
Rafael described the French move as "unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated," adding it fully supported the Israeli ministry of defence's decision not to comply with the order to remove some equipment from display.
France has shut down the four main Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for apparently displaying bombs and other offensive weapons, in a move condemned by Israel that highlights the growing tensions between the traditional allies.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday that the instruction came from French authorities after Israeli firms failed to comply with a direction from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands.
The stands were being used by Elbit Systems , Rafael, IAI and Uvision. Three smaller Israeli stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and an Israeli Ministry of Defence stand, remain open.
France, a long-time Israeli ally, has gradually hardened its position on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over its actions in Gaza and military interventions abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron made a distinction last week between Israel's right to protect itself, which France supports and could take part in, and strikes on Iran it did not recommend.
Israel's defence ministry said it had categorically rejected the order to remove some weapons systems from displays, and that exhibition organisers responded by erecting a black wall that separated the Israeli industry pavilions from others.
This action, it added, was carried out in the middle of the night after Israeli defence officials and companies had already finished setting up their displays.
"This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," the ministry said in a statement.
Rafael described the French move as "unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated," adding it fully supported the Israeli ministry of defence's decision not to comply with the order to remove some equipment from display.
France has shut down the four main Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for apparently displaying bombs and other offensive weapons, in a move condemned by Israel that highlights the growing tensions between the traditional allies.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday that the instruction came from French authorities after Israeli firms failed to comply with a direction from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands.
The stands were being used by Elbit Systems , Rafael, IAI and Uvision. Three smaller Israeli stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and an Israeli Ministry of Defence stand, remain open.
France, a long-time Israeli ally, has gradually hardened its position on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over its actions in Gaza and military interventions abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron made a distinction last week between Israel's right to protect itself, which France supports and could take part in, and strikes on Iran it did not recommend.
Israel's defence ministry said it had categorically rejected the order to remove some weapons systems from displays, and that exhibition organisers responded by erecting a black wall that separated the Israeli industry pavilions from others.
This action, it added, was carried out in the middle of the night after Israeli defence officials and companies had already finished setting up their displays.
"This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," the ministry said in a statement.
Rafael described the French move as "unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated," adding it fully supported the Israeli ministry of defence's decision not to comply with the order to remove some equipment from display.
France has shut down the four main Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for apparently displaying bombs and other offensive weapons, in a move condemned by Israel that highlights the growing tensions between the traditional allies.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday that the instruction came from French authorities after Israeli firms failed to comply with a direction from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands.
The stands were being used by Elbit Systems , Rafael, IAI and Uvision. Three smaller Israeli stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and an Israeli Ministry of Defence stand, remain open.
France, a long-time Israeli ally, has gradually hardened its position on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu over its actions in Gaza and military interventions abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron made a distinction last week between Israel's right to protect itself, which France supports and could take part in, and strikes on Iran it did not recommend.
Israel's defence ministry said it had categorically rejected the order to remove some weapons systems from displays, and that exhibition organisers responded by erecting a black wall that separated the Israeli industry pavilions from others.
This action, it added, was carried out in the middle of the night after Israeli defence officials and companies had already finished setting up their displays.
"This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," the ministry said in a statement.
Rafael described the French move as "unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated," adding it fully supported the Israeli ministry of defence's decision not to comply with the order to remove some equipment from display.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
People flee Iran's capital as Israeli strikes intensify
Thousands of residents of the Iranian capital Tehran are fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies for fear that Israel's air strike campaign against Iran will escalate in the coming days. The Israeli military has warned Iranian civilians in a series of messages to leave some areas for their own safety, raising the prospect of a widening barrage of aerial attacks. Iranian authorities have rejected the messages as "psychological warfare" and urged the population not to panic, although state television has aired footage of traffic jams on roads leading out of the capital. "We have nowhere to go. Where should we go? How long should we stay away from our homes?" 38-year-old Shahriyar, said by phone from Tehran, a city of more than 10 million people. Art teacher Arshia, 29, told Reuters that his family was leaving for the town of Damavand, about 50km east of Tehran, until the conflict was over. "My parents are scared. Every night there are attacks, no air raid sirens and no shelters to go to. Why are we paying the price for the Islamic Republic's hostile policies?" said Arshia, who withheld his surname for fear of reprisal from authorities. The attacks have spread a sense of dread across the sprawling Islamic Republic, exposing critical gaps in safety measures, particularly the lack of adequate bomb shelters. Despite having built several underground missile "cities," Iran lacks public bomb shelters. However, the government said on Sunday that mosques, schools and subways would be open around the clock to serve as shelters during Israeli attacks. The death toll in Iran has reached at least 224, with civilians accounting for 90 per cent of the casualties, an Iranian official said. In Israel, 24 people have been killed by retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, all of them civilians. NetBlocks, an independent agency that tracks internet flows, reported a nearly 50 per cent decline in international internet access for Iranians, confirming user reports of online outages since Israel launched its airstrikes on Friday. The security forces have issued warnings against any contacts with Israel, according to state media, while dozens had been arrested for allegedly "spying for Israel or inciting public opinion by spreading lies". Three shopkeepers in Tehran told Reuters people were stocking up on food and gas cylinders for cooking, and water. with AP Thousands of residents of the Iranian capital Tehran are fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies for fear that Israel's air strike campaign against Iran will escalate in the coming days. The Israeli military has warned Iranian civilians in a series of messages to leave some areas for their own safety, raising the prospect of a widening barrage of aerial attacks. Iranian authorities have rejected the messages as "psychological warfare" and urged the population not to panic, although state television has aired footage of traffic jams on roads leading out of the capital. "We have nowhere to go. Where should we go? How long should we stay away from our homes?" 38-year-old Shahriyar, said by phone from Tehran, a city of more than 10 million people. Art teacher Arshia, 29, told Reuters that his family was leaving for the town of Damavand, about 50km east of Tehran, until the conflict was over. "My parents are scared. Every night there are attacks, no air raid sirens and no shelters to go to. Why are we paying the price for the Islamic Republic's hostile policies?" said Arshia, who withheld his surname for fear of reprisal from authorities. The attacks have spread a sense of dread across the sprawling Islamic Republic, exposing critical gaps in safety measures, particularly the lack of adequate bomb shelters. Despite having built several underground missile "cities," Iran lacks public bomb shelters. However, the government said on Sunday that mosques, schools and subways would be open around the clock to serve as shelters during Israeli attacks. The death toll in Iran has reached at least 224, with civilians accounting for 90 per cent of the casualties, an Iranian official said. In Israel, 24 people have been killed by retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, all of them civilians. NetBlocks, an independent agency that tracks internet flows, reported a nearly 50 per cent decline in international internet access for Iranians, confirming user reports of online outages since Israel launched its airstrikes on Friday. The security forces have issued warnings against any contacts with Israel, according to state media, while dozens had been arrested for allegedly "spying for Israel or inciting public opinion by spreading lies". Three shopkeepers in Tehran told Reuters people were stocking up on food and gas cylinders for cooking, and water. with AP Thousands of residents of the Iranian capital Tehran are fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies for fear that Israel's air strike campaign against Iran will escalate in the coming days. The Israeli military has warned Iranian civilians in a series of messages to leave some areas for their own safety, raising the prospect of a widening barrage of aerial attacks. Iranian authorities have rejected the messages as "psychological warfare" and urged the population not to panic, although state television has aired footage of traffic jams on roads leading out of the capital. "We have nowhere to go. Where should we go? How long should we stay away from our homes?" 38-year-old Shahriyar, said by phone from Tehran, a city of more than 10 million people. Art teacher Arshia, 29, told Reuters that his family was leaving for the town of Damavand, about 50km east of Tehran, until the conflict was over. "My parents are scared. Every night there are attacks, no air raid sirens and no shelters to go to. Why are we paying the price for the Islamic Republic's hostile policies?" said Arshia, who withheld his surname for fear of reprisal from authorities. The attacks have spread a sense of dread across the sprawling Islamic Republic, exposing critical gaps in safety measures, particularly the lack of adequate bomb shelters. Despite having built several underground missile "cities," Iran lacks public bomb shelters. However, the government said on Sunday that mosques, schools and subways would be open around the clock to serve as shelters during Israeli attacks. The death toll in Iran has reached at least 224, with civilians accounting for 90 per cent of the casualties, an Iranian official said. In Israel, 24 people have been killed by retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, all of them civilians. NetBlocks, an independent agency that tracks internet flows, reported a nearly 50 per cent decline in international internet access for Iranians, confirming user reports of online outages since Israel launched its airstrikes on Friday. The security forces have issued warnings against any contacts with Israel, according to state media, while dozens had been arrested for allegedly "spying for Israel or inciting public opinion by spreading lies". Three shopkeepers in Tehran told Reuters people were stocking up on food and gas cylinders for cooking, and water. with AP Thousands of residents of the Iranian capital Tehran are fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies for fear that Israel's air strike campaign against Iran will escalate in the coming days. The Israeli military has warned Iranian civilians in a series of messages to leave some areas for their own safety, raising the prospect of a widening barrage of aerial attacks. Iranian authorities have rejected the messages as "psychological warfare" and urged the population not to panic, although state television has aired footage of traffic jams on roads leading out of the capital. "We have nowhere to go. Where should we go? How long should we stay away from our homes?" 38-year-old Shahriyar, said by phone from Tehran, a city of more than 10 million people. Art teacher Arshia, 29, told Reuters that his family was leaving for the town of Damavand, about 50km east of Tehran, until the conflict was over. "My parents are scared. Every night there are attacks, no air raid sirens and no shelters to go to. Why are we paying the price for the Islamic Republic's hostile policies?" said Arshia, who withheld his surname for fear of reprisal from authorities. The attacks have spread a sense of dread across the sprawling Islamic Republic, exposing critical gaps in safety measures, particularly the lack of adequate bomb shelters. Despite having built several underground missile "cities," Iran lacks public bomb shelters. However, the government said on Sunday that mosques, schools and subways would be open around the clock to serve as shelters during Israeli attacks. The death toll in Iran has reached at least 224, with civilians accounting for 90 per cent of the casualties, an Iranian official said. In Israel, 24 people have been killed by retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, all of them civilians. NetBlocks, an independent agency that tracks internet flows, reported a nearly 50 per cent decline in international internet access for Iranians, confirming user reports of online outages since Israel launched its airstrikes on Friday. The security forces have issued warnings against any contacts with Israel, according to state media, while dozens had been arrested for allegedly "spying for Israel or inciting public opinion by spreading lies". Three shopkeepers in Tehran told Reuters people were stocking up on food and gas cylinders for cooking, and water. with AP
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Ukraine receives 1245 bodies, among last of war dead
Ukraine received another 1245 bodies of its soldiers killed in the war with Russia in the final stage of the repatriation of remains agreed at talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian officials said. "Today marks the final stage of the repatriation of fallen soldiers," Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Monday. "Since last week, when the implementation of the Istanbul agreements began, we have managed to bring back over 6000 bodies." This marks one of the largest returns of war dead since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The handover of the soldiers' remains is part of the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine during their second round of talks in Istanbul at the start of the month. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at the peace talks, said that Moscow had handed back the bodies of 6060 Ukrainian servicemen. He said that Russia has received the remains of 78 of its own soldiers in return. Ukrainian officials said that they had received 6057 bodies. They was no immediate explanation available on the discrepancy in numbers. The Russian Defence ministry said that Moscow was ready to hand over another 2239 bodies to Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia said that the process of exchanging prisoners of war was still ongoing. "We are not stopping. Ahead lies the next stage: we continue the fight to bring back our prisoners of war," Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov said in a social media post on Facebook. The agreements on exchanging POWs were the only concrete result during the talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul. Both sides remain far apart in their vision on how to end the war, and they also failed to agree on a ceasefire. with Reuters Ukraine received another 1245 bodies of its soldiers killed in the war with Russia in the final stage of the repatriation of remains agreed at talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian officials said. "Today marks the final stage of the repatriation of fallen soldiers," Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Monday. "Since last week, when the implementation of the Istanbul agreements began, we have managed to bring back over 6000 bodies." This marks one of the largest returns of war dead since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The handover of the soldiers' remains is part of the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine during their second round of talks in Istanbul at the start of the month. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at the peace talks, said that Moscow had handed back the bodies of 6060 Ukrainian servicemen. He said that Russia has received the remains of 78 of its own soldiers in return. Ukrainian officials said that they had received 6057 bodies. They was no immediate explanation available on the discrepancy in numbers. The Russian Defence ministry said that Moscow was ready to hand over another 2239 bodies to Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia said that the process of exchanging prisoners of war was still ongoing. "We are not stopping. Ahead lies the next stage: we continue the fight to bring back our prisoners of war," Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov said in a social media post on Facebook. The agreements on exchanging POWs were the only concrete result during the talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul. Both sides remain far apart in their vision on how to end the war, and they also failed to agree on a ceasefire. with Reuters Ukraine received another 1245 bodies of its soldiers killed in the war with Russia in the final stage of the repatriation of remains agreed at talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian officials said. "Today marks the final stage of the repatriation of fallen soldiers," Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Monday. "Since last week, when the implementation of the Istanbul agreements began, we have managed to bring back over 6000 bodies." This marks one of the largest returns of war dead since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The handover of the soldiers' remains is part of the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine during their second round of talks in Istanbul at the start of the month. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at the peace talks, said that Moscow had handed back the bodies of 6060 Ukrainian servicemen. He said that Russia has received the remains of 78 of its own soldiers in return. Ukrainian officials said that they had received 6057 bodies. They was no immediate explanation available on the discrepancy in numbers. The Russian Defence ministry said that Moscow was ready to hand over another 2239 bodies to Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia said that the process of exchanging prisoners of war was still ongoing. "We are not stopping. Ahead lies the next stage: we continue the fight to bring back our prisoners of war," Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov said in a social media post on Facebook. The agreements on exchanging POWs were the only concrete result during the talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul. Both sides remain far apart in their vision on how to end the war, and they also failed to agree on a ceasefire. with Reuters Ukraine received another 1245 bodies of its soldiers killed in the war with Russia in the final stage of the repatriation of remains agreed at talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian officials said. "Today marks the final stage of the repatriation of fallen soldiers," Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Monday. "Since last week, when the implementation of the Istanbul agreements began, we have managed to bring back over 6000 bodies." This marks one of the largest returns of war dead since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The handover of the soldiers' remains is part of the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine during their second round of talks in Istanbul at the start of the month. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at the peace talks, said that Moscow had handed back the bodies of 6060 Ukrainian servicemen. He said that Russia has received the remains of 78 of its own soldiers in return. Ukrainian officials said that they had received 6057 bodies. They was no immediate explanation available on the discrepancy in numbers. The Russian Defence ministry said that Moscow was ready to hand over another 2239 bodies to Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia said that the process of exchanging prisoners of war was still ongoing. "We are not stopping. Ahead lies the next stage: we continue the fight to bring back our prisoners of war," Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov said in a social media post on Facebook. The agreements on exchanging POWs were the only concrete result during the talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul. Both sides remain far apart in their vision on how to end the war, and they also failed to agree on a ceasefire. with Reuters
AU Financial Review
3 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Iran launches deadly missile attack on Israel, killing eight
Tel Aviv | Iran fired a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early Monday, killing at least eight people, while Israel warned residents of part of Tehran to evacuate ahead of new strikes. The warning came on the fourth day of the conflict, when the Israeli military claimed it had achieved air superiority over the Iranian capital and could fly over the city without facing major threats. The military has issued similar evacuation warnings for civilians in parts of Gaza and Lebanon ahead of strikes. AP
