PARIS — A commercial court in Paris has overturned a previous ban that restricted Israeli defense firms from displaying military equipment utilized by Israel’s forces in their operations in Gaza and Lebanon during the upcoming Euronaval trade show.
The court’s decision came just days before the international naval defense exhibition is scheduled to commence in Le Bourget, a suburb of Paris.

Initially imposed earlier in the month, the ban caused significant backlash from Israeli officials, who accused the French government led by President Emmanuel Macron of engaging in discriminatory practices.
The organizers of Euronaval had indicated that Israeli companies would be permitted to participate only if they refrained from exhibiting any equipment associated with military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

In response to the court’s ruling, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz commended the decision via social media platform X, labeling it a “significant victory” for the nation.
He stated that the ruling represented an important triumph for justice, and sent a powerful message against efforts to undermine Israel’s resilience in its struggle against adversarial forces.

The legal challenge was initiated by the Manufacturer’s Association of Israel alongside several defense companies, who argued that the ban infringed upon principles of free trade.
The French government had maintained its stance on the restrictions, asserting that they aligned with calls for a ceasefire in the Middle Eastern region.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed to parliament that showcasing arms linked to conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon would jeopardize France’s diplomatic initiatives.
Nevertheless, the court ruled in favor of the petitioners, granting Israeli firms such as Rafael and Elbit Systems permission to showcase their complete assortment of defense technologies.

Euronaval is recognized as one of the leading naval defense exhibitions in the world, featuring over 300 companies from 30 nations.
The event is set to take place amidst ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, with exhibitors likely facing heightened international scrutiny regarding arms sales that contribute to global conflicts.