Tensions are rising between Israel and France, to the point of preventing Israeli companies from participating in a naval weapons exhibition, an escalation to which Tel Aviv has not remained silent.

Today, Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant considered that France’s prevention of Israeli companies from participating in a naval weapons exhibition was a “disgrace.”

In more than one message between the lines, Gallant added: “We will continue to defend our country against its enemies, with or without France.”

He stressed that any negotiations regarding Lebanon would only take place “under fire.”

The minister’s statements come shortly after Euronaval organizers announced that the exhibition dedicated to maritime defense will not host any Israeli pavilions or equipment during its next session early next November in northern Paris, at the request of the French government.

The exhibition organizers explained that “the French government informed Euronaval on Tuesday, October 15, of its decision to approve the participation of Israeli delegations in Euronaval 2024, without pavilions or display of equipment,” noting that “the decision concerns seven Israeli companies.”< /p>

The same source added, “In compliance with the French government’s decision, Israeli companies and citizens who wish to do so will be received at the exhibition based on the aforementioned arrangements.”

The organizers stressed that “Euronaval is preparing to receive every company and every visitor within the framework of respecting international and governmental directives,” noting that the twenty-ninth edition of the exhibition, which will be held between the fourth and seventh of next month, is preparing to receive approximately 500 companies and 22 thousand visitors.

Tension and the specter of a crisis

The participation of Israeli companies in the defense and security exhibition “Eurosatori”, which was held at the end of last May, was previously canceled by a decision of the French government against the backdrop of the military operations carried out by the Hebrew state in the Gaza Strip, before it was re-allowed according to a decision Judicial.

The government decision regarding the maritime defense exhibition comes in light of the escalation of tension between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days, with Israel continuing the war against Hamas in Gaza and intensifying its strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Paris reiterated the call for a ceasefire in Lebanon and the Palestinian Strip, and also criticized “deliberate” Israeli strikes that targeted the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, in the midst of ground battles between the Hebrew state and the Lebanese party.