PRESS RELEASE – June 15, 2026, Paris
Participation of Israeli companies in Eurosatory 2026: JURDI acknowledges the announced restrictions but denounces the inadequacy of the distinction between “offensive” and “defensive” weapons”
Our association, Jurists for Respect for International Law (JURDI), has taken note of the decision by the French authorities on June 4, 2026, not to allow the holding of an Israeli national pavilion and not to welcome Israeli companies in the arms sector presenting so-called "offensive" weapons at the 2026 edition of the Eurosatory trade fair, which will be held at the Villepinte exhibition center from June 15 to 19, 2026.
As early as April 2026, JURDI sent a formal notice to the organizers of the Eurosatory trade fair, COGES and GICAT, alerting them to the public order violation constituted by the presence of Israeli arms companies implicated in international crimes. In May 2026, COGES and GICAT responded to JURDI with a worrying refusal, demonstrating their unwillingness to exercise their duty of vigilance regarding the presence of Israeli companies.
The fact that French authorities wish to prevent the display of such weapons at the Eurosatory trade fair perhaps signals a growing awareness that Israel's systematic commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon precludes normal arms trade with Israeli companies in the arms sector. Perhaps this should finally be seen as a sign that France is remembering its obligation to implement the duty to prevent genocide in the context of the devastation wrought by Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, as stipulated by the International Criminal Court in January 2024?
However, JURDI regrets that the presentation of only so-called "offensive" weapons is prohibited at the Eurosatory 2026 trade fair. Indeed, the French government has authorized Israeli exhibitors to present anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft defense systems.
International law in general, and the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty and the 2008 European Union Common Position in particular, do not recognize a distinction between so-called offensive and defensive weapons. These standards and texts apply to all weapons, without any such distinction. This is primarily because the distinction between offensive and defensive weapons is artificial and does not correspond to the practices of the arms industry in the design and manufacture of weapons, nor to their use, which is most often reversible by the military on the battlefield. JURDI therefore regrets once again that the French authorities are not applying international and European law, which require a State concerned with respecting its international commitments to ensure that weapons that could be used to commit acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes are not subject to any trade or transit through its territory. Our association again calls on the French government to make clear decisions in line with its international commitments and to be transparent about the weapons that have unfortunately been delivered to Israel or have transited through French soil since January 2024 destined for Israel.
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