'Our products are so good that...': Israeli defence firm after France’s decision to hide Paris Air Show booths

Elbit Systems is one of the biggest Israeli defence companies

After France banned Israel from showcasing “offensive weapons” at the upcoming Paris Air Show, Elbit Systems, which is one of the biggest Israeli defence companies, took a dig at the French government.

“Our products are so good that the French government does not want you to see them,” Elbit Systems wrote on its empty stand at the Paris Air Show.

France on Monday blocked access to the stands of four Israeli arms manufacturers at the Paris Air Show for displaying "offensive weapons", according to reports.

A black wall blocked off stands run by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, UVision, Elbit Systems and Aeronautics for showing "offensive weapons", including those used in Gaza, which allegedly violated terms agreed with Israel, according to France24.com.

Three smaller Israeli stands, which didn't have hardware on display, and an Israeli ministry of defence stand remain open.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the move as "outrageous" and called for it to be "immediately corrected".

"Israeli companies have signed contracts with the organisers ... it's like creating an Israeli ghetto," he said on French television channel LCI.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a distinction last week between Israel’s right to protect itself, which France supports and could take part in, and strikes on Iran it did not recommend.

The office of French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it had told all exhibitors ahead of the show that offensive weapons would be prohibited from display and that Israel's embassy in Paris had agreed to this. It added that the companies could resume their exhibits if they complied with this requirement.

Bayrou told reporters that given France's diplomatic stance, and "in particular its ... very great concern about Gaza", the government had felt it unacceptable for attack weapons to be on show.

Meshar Sasson, senior vice president at Elbit Systems, accused France of trying to stymie competition, pointing to a series of contracts that Elbit has won in Europe.

"If you cannot beat them in technology, just hide them right? That’s what it is because there's no other explanation," he said.

Rafael described the French move as "unprecedented, unjustified, and politically motivated".

The diplomatic row rocked the opening of the biennial show, already in sombre mood after the crash of a Boeing 787 and fresh conflict in the Middle East, with announcements scaled back.

Every two years, Le Bourget airport is transformed into a showcase for the aerospace and defence industries - its sprawling tarmac lined with fighter jets, airliners and drones and its spacious halls hosting high-tech gadgetry and weapons.

(With inputs from Reuters)