Latest news with #IsraeliDefenceMinistry
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Israel furious after France orders black partitions at Paris air show over Gaza war, tensions with Iran
France's government ordered black partition walls erected around Israeli defence industry exhibits at the Paris Air Show displaying offensive weapons, because of the war in Gaza and rising tensions in the Mideast. Israel's Defence Ministry demanded an immediate reversal of the decision. A French appeals court had ruled Friday against activist groups who sought to block Israeli companies from participating in the show due to Israel's actions in Gaza. The Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget north of Paris, is one of the world's largest and most prestigious events for the aerospace and defence industry. The black walls appeared overnight ahead of the show's opening Monday, visually isolating Israeli booths from dozens of other international exhibitors. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said the decision was made to allow Israeli companies to display their aviation technology but no offensive weapons, "given the situation in the region, the extreme tensions ... given France's diplomatic choices, notably concern about Gaza." Bayrou said the Israeli Embassy and companies were informed in advance of the restriction and that some complied, but others didn't. As a result the displays were covered up, "I hope temporarily." The Israeli Defence Ministry said the demand to remove offensive weapons displays came at the last minute. 'The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition — weapons that compete with French industries,' the ministry said in a statement Monday, calling the action 'ugly and improper.' An array of offensive weapons are on display elsewhere at the Paris Air Show, among the most prominent being French, including its Rafale fighter jets, cruise missiles and other hardware. Bayrou officially opened the air show Monday, visiting several stands, and as he spoke, his voice was partially drowned out by the roar of overhead aircraft. A French official said the decision came from the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security, under the prime minister. The official said Israeli exhibitors were told weeks ago that they couldn't exhibit offensive weaponry, and that the walls were erected as a last resort when five didn't comply. Four others did and are allowed to exhibit. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to discuss the details. The French prime minister drew a distinction between Israel's recent attacks on Iran and its actions in Gaza. "I have never underestimated the risk that Iran and Iran's preparation of nuclear weapons creates for the whole region, for the whole world," Bayrou said. 'The situation in Gaza, it touches, it injures, it repulses a large number of our compatriots, including those who are friends of Israel," he said. Israel's actions in Gaza since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, have drawn protests and concerns in France, especially the blockage of humanitarian aid in recent months. Sylvain Pavillet, a lawyer working with the air show organisers, said the final decision on which countries are allowed to exhibit lies with the French government, not the show itself. Two women angry with the French decision drew an Israeli flag and graffiti on the black partitions around the stand for Israeli company Rafael, accusing the French government of discrimination. Security personnel then covered up the graffiti with black plastic. Shlomo Toaff, head of Rafael's air defence systems division, said he couldn't even enter his company's small display area Monday morning. 'These weapons are used by the Israeli government in a legal way in order to to protect our people and in order to free the hostages," he told the AP. 'We hope that maybe somebody will come to their senses and reopen our show," he added. 'Anybody that is for a free world, free business, freedom of speech should be outraged by this.'
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Israeli arms firms blocked at Paris Air Show. Here's what happened and why
Several Israeli arms companies were barred from showcasing their products at the Paris Air Show. The organisers cited rule violations related to the nature of the weapons displayed. The decision drew strong reactions from both company representatives and the Israeli Defence Ministry. Access Blocked Organisers of the Paris Air Show blocked access to the booths of multiple Israeli arms companies. Large black walls were installed around five firms' stands. This included Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael and Elbit Systems . The decision followed a review by the organisers, who found the companies' displayed weapons to be in breach of the show's rules. These rules prohibit the exhibition of certain types of military technology, especially those classified as offensive weapons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Also Read: Iran Supreme Leader Assassination Plan: This country wanted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead but plan was shelved. This is what the startling reports reveal Weapons Linked to Gaza Operations According to journalist Natacha Butler of Al Jazeera, who was reporting from the venue, some weapons shown by these companies are linked to Israeli military operations in Gaza. These include high-tech drone systems. The organisers did not publicly state which specific weapons triggered the response but confirmed the decision was made based on compliance issues. Live Events Industry Reaction A Rafael executive expressed surprise at the decision, Butler said. He said that his company had received no prior notice, the journalist added. The stand had been completely covered without warning. The executive voiced frustration at being shut out of one of the defence industry's largest events. Also Read: Global energy crisis soon? As Israel targets Iran's South Pars gas field, oil prices may rise further to $200–$300 per barrel, warns Iraqi Minister. Here's what happened in Middle East conflict Israeli Government Responds The Israeli Defence Ministry issued a formal statement condemning the move. The ministry called the action 'segregation' against Israeli companies. It also claimed the decision was influenced by political and commercial motives. The statement described the event as a targeted action without precedent in past international exhibitions. FAQs Why were Israeli companies blocked at the Paris Air Show? Israeli arms firms were blocked for displaying weapons that violated the show's rules, which prohibit certain offensive military items from being exhibited. What did the Israeli government say about the incident? The Israeli Defence Ministry condemned the decision as discriminatory and claimed it was driven by politics and competition rather than safety rules.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Israel Attacks Iran's Nuclear Sites: Iran retaliates with 100 drones
Tehran: Iran has retaliated after Israel's deadly air strikes hit multiple areas, including military and nuclear facilities, across the Islamic Republic on Friday. Israel's military said Iran launched about 100 drones toward Israel, and it was making an effort to shoot them down. "Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept," said military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin. He added that Israel's strikes on Iran involved 200 fighter jets striking about 100 targets across Iran. Iran's armed forces said there were "no limits" on their response to Israel. "Now that the terrorist regime occupying Al-Quds (Jerusalem) has crossed all red lines... (there are) no limits in responding to this crime," the armed forces general staff said in a statement. Iran had vowed a "strong response" to Israeli aggression. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Jewish state would suffer severe consequences for the attacks that killed two senior military commanders and top nuclear scientists in Iran. "With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate, and it will definitely receive it," Khamenei said in a statement. Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, and Senior Revolutionary Guards commander Gholam Ali Rashid were killed after Israel targeted multiple locations in Israel, the state television reported. Tehran said at least 95 people were wounded in the attacks that killed several civilians, including women and children. "So far, 95 people were injured and taken to medical centres in 12 different provinces that were targeted," national emergency services spokesperson Mojtaba Khaledi said. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will not remain silent following Israel's brazen attacks. he warned that a 'powerful' response by the Islamic Republic will make 'the enemy regret its foolish act.' Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its air strikes killed most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force as they gathered at an underground command centre. Shortly after the Israeli Defence Ministry announced that "most of the Revolutionary Guard air force leadership was neutralised," the military clarified that several senior commanders had been "eliminated".
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Israel arms exports reached record $14.7 billion in 2024
Israeli arms exports reached a new record last year despite the ongoing war in Gaza. The Israeli Defence Ministry said exports topped $14.7 billion in 2024, a 13% increase from the previous year. The ministry saw its fourth consecutive record-breaking year of arms exports, which have "more than doubled over the past five years." More than half of the defence agreements were concluded with European countries, according to the statement. In 2023 European orders accounted for 23% of the total deal volume. Germany has purchased the long-range Arrow 3 missile defence system from Israel. The ministry said that the war in Gaza, which broke out in October 2023, has led to technological breakthroughs for Israeli defence companies. "The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner in it," Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. "We will continue strengthening the IDF and the Israeli economy through security innovation to ensure clear superiority against any threat – anywhere and anytime,' Katz added.
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Israel expanding Gaza offensive, seizes key corridor
Israel said on Saturday it planned to expand its military offensive in Gaza after seizing a new corridor as part of a broader effort to take large parts of the war-battered Palestinian territory. Advertisement It also told tens of thousands of residents of Khan Younis and surrounding areas in southern Gaza to evacuate and launched strikes after projectiles were fired from there. 'Soon, IDF operations will intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza, and you will need to evacuate the combat zones,' Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement addressing Gazans. 'The IDF [military] has now completed its takeover of the Morag axis, which crosses Gaza between Rafah and Khan Younis, turning the entire area between the Philadelphi Route [along the border with Egypt] and Morag into part of the Israeli security zone,' Katz said. 'Now is the time to rise up, remove Hamas, and release all the Israeli hostages – this is the only way to end the war.' A demonstrator holds a sign showing the face of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander (centre) during a protest outside the Israeli Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv in March. Photo: AFP Katz said the military was also taking over several areas in northern Gaza and the 'security zone is being expanded, including in the Netzarim Corridor'.
