France bans Israeli companies from participating in naval arms trade show

Israeli companies have been banned from participating in a naval arms trade show in France, organizers of the event said on Wednesday. According to AFP, the ban comes after French efforts to reach a truce in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah failed and after Israel intensified airstrikes on Lebanon. It is the second time this year that France has banned Israeli companies from a major defense exhibition. Euronaval, the organizer of the show, which is scheduled to take place in Paris between November 4 and 7, said in a statement: "The French government has informed it that Israeli delegations are not allowed to exhibit platforms or equipment at the exhibition." It added that seven companies will be affected by this decision. France said in May that conditions are not favorable for companies to participate, while President Emmanuel Macron is calling on "Israel to cease operations in Gaza." Neither the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry nor the Israeli Embassy responded to requests for comment. Source: Jordan News Agency