Israeli displays walled off at French munitions show

Israel called the move 'outrageous'

- LARA JAKES AURELIEN BREEDEN

Last year, Israeli weapons producers were initially barred from attending a prestigious arms industry show in Paris over objections to the war in the Gaza Strip.

This year, the Israelis were allowed in — but then walled off from other global competitors.

Israel's Ministry of Defense said Monday that the French government built black walls overnight around some weapons systems displayed by Israeli companies, blocking them from view at the Paris Air Show, one of the world's largest arms exhibitions.

It marked the second time in as many years that French authorities have sought to stop Israel from marketing its tools of military might, to reflect objections to its massive bombing campaigns in Gaza. And it comes at a fraught moment between the two countries as President Emmanuel Macron of France considers whether to recognise a Palestinian state, a move that Israel strenuously opposes.

The decision was not linked to Israel's new military offensive in Iran, which aims in part to destroy that country's nuclear programme, François Bayrou, France's prime minister, told reporters at the air show. France also has long worried about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Maj Gen Amir Baram, the Israeli defence ministry's director general, accused the French government of trying to stifle competition among weapons producers and said he would take the matter to court. He also called the French action "absolutely, bluntly anti-semitic." French officials did not immediately respond to questions about Mr Baram's comments.