The decision by a French court prohibiting the entry of Israelis to a defense exhibition was suspended on Tuesday as well as the French government's decision to prevent those manufacturers from showcasing their products in the pavillions.
The prestigious exhibition, taking place between June 17-21, is considered one of the most important in the defense industries. The court's original ban was handed down in response to pressure by pro-Palestinian groups, but it will now be suspended hold because of the temporary injunction issued on Tuesday.
The court ban had prevented Israelis from attending the event in an official capacity as agents or representatives of Israeli arms manufacturers, essentially denying any work-related meetings by Israelis there. Although it did not prevent Israelis outright from attending, the organizers forced Israeli nationals to sign a waiver that they were not there in any official capacity.
Ce formulaire est une initiative très malheureuse, décidée dans l'urgence du fait de la décision de justice du 14 juin.
Le COGES adresse ses excuses et rappelle qu'il a fait appel contre la décision du tribunal de Bobigny. https://t.co/iFTEW7MPga
— Eurosatory (@cogeseurosatory) June 17, 2024
The District Court's now-cancelled decision prevented Israeli companies' from sending representatives to the confab, just week after the government announced that Israeli arms manufacturers would not be allowed to showcase their products at the arms exhibition because of the ongoing war in Gaza. The government's decision at the end of May to prevent Israeli companies from exhibiting at the fair – which led to the cancellation of the participation of dozens of Israeli companies that were supposed to exhibit there – was also effectively overturned on Tuesday.
The French government's original decision had barred Israeli arms manufacturers from showcasing their products at the arms exhibition because of the ongoing war in Gaza, and this also resulted in their products being covered in other countries' booths.
🚨Saisi en référé d'heure à heure à la demande de la Chambre de commerce France Israel, le Président du Tribunal de commerce de Paris vient de juger que la mesure d'exclusion des société israéliennes de Eurosatory est discriminatoire. Il a ordonné de la faire cesser. Je suis très… pic.twitter.com/ZQz4kJ8Ioe
— Patrick Klugman (@PKlugman) June 18, 2024
The prestigious exhibition, taking place between June 17-21, is considered one of the most important in the defense industries.