French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to allow Israeli companies to participate in this year’s Paris Air Show, following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on January 26, 2025.
This move marks a significant shift in the diplomatic tensions that have existed between the two nations over the past year, primarily centered around arms exhibitions and Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the French president assured the Israeli leader that Israeli companies would be welcome at the prestigious airshow, which is scheduled to take place in mid-June at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.
The statement also highlighted that the decision was a result of the recent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, with Macron indicating that the presence of Israeli exhibitors could now be “examined favorably.”
The Paris Air Show, held every odd-numbered year, is one of the world’s most important aerospace events, attracting both civilian and military aerospace companies.
The event provides a major platform for manufacturers, governments, and international players to showcase innovations in aviation, aerospace technology, and defense systems.
The decision comes after a turbulent period of diplomatic fallout between France and Israel. In 2024, Macron’s administration had attempted to restrict Israeli companies from attending French defense exhibitions, such as the Euronaval arms show, due to concerns over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Macron had even called for a halt to weapons exports to Israel, a stance that was deeply unpopular in Israel.
The French president’s actions led to sharp criticism from Israeli officials, including former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who condemned the move as a “disgrace to the French nation and the values of the free world.”
The French government’s efforts to limit Israeli participation at arms exhibitions were ultimately overturned by French courts.
Despite this, the political tension remained high, with Netanyahu accusing Macron and other Western leaders of undermining Israel’s right to defend itself.
He described these calls for arms embargoes as shameful and argued that Israel was fighting “the forces of barbarism” and needed the support of civilized nations.
Relations between Netanyahu and Macron soured further after the French president’s comments regarding the creation of Israel.
However, Macron’s latest decision to grant Israeli companies access to the Paris Air Show indicates a potential thaw in bilateral relations, at least in the realm of aerospace and defense.
The upcoming Paris Air Show could now serve as a key moment in re-establishing ties between France and Israel.
The decision is likely to be met with approval from Israeli officials, who have been eager to showcase their aerospace and defense technology on the global stage.
It also signals a more nuanced approach from Macron, who appears to be adjusting his stance in light of the ceasefire, signaling potential cooperation on economic and technological fronts, even as political disagreements persist.
As the event approaches, all eyes will be on the unfolding dynamics between the two countries, particularly regarding their military and defense relations, as the Paris Air Show continues to be a focal point for international collaboration in the aerospace industry.
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