Large crowds amassed on Saturday, their destination being a French exhibition convention— a strong public outcry against the perpetuation of conflict for monetary gain, and a pointed criticism of Israel’s aggressive actions in Gaza. This protest had been anticipated for some time and it coincided with the Paris Air Show taking place in the vicinity of the French capital. The backdrop to the rally was the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran, which had entered its ninth day, with Iran issuing grave warnings of retaliation to Israel’s unwavering assault on its longstanding foe.
The involvement of Israeli defense companies in the air show spurred controversy, as the French administration took the unusual step of barring access to the exhibition spaces of five Israeli companies on Monday. The French authorities justified their action by stating these companies were showcasing aggressive weaponry that might potentially be deployed in Gaza.
Leading the march was a potent symbol— a banner bearing the defiant message: ‘Their conflicts, their gains, our losses, cease the slaughter in Palestine.’ According to the event’s organizers, the protest drew a significant crowd, with estimated numbers exceeding four thousand.
One protester, Nora, a 29-year-old project leader in the pharmaceutical sector, voiced her outrage in a heartfelt statement to AFP. Covered in a Palestinian flag, her emotions were clearly inflamed by the infuriating images emerging from Gaza, including depictions of ‘mothers bidding their dead children farewell’ in the beleaguered Palestinian region.
Authorities undertook measures to maintain the order during the event. As a preemptive move, seven individuals were apprehended under suspicion of planning to interfere with the trade fair. Among elusive items found during the detainments were a helium container and close to two hundred balloons.
On Friday, six individuals were taken into custody, and another was arrested on the following day. The leading air space event attracts a daily influx of roughly 100,000 guests to the Le Bourget airfield, which lies nine kilometers to the north of Paris. The venue is typically a showcase for the latest technological advancements from the aviation industry.
However, Monday saw a shift in focus from the awe-inspiring aircraft to the unanticipated barring of certain exhibitors — specifically, the contentious closing off of stands belonging to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, UVision, Elbit, and Aeronautics. The said companies, known for their production of drones, guided bombs, and missiles, had their participation abruptly cut short.
The French authorities’ actions instigated a heated argument with Israel. Heated words flew from the office of Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, who condemned the enforced closure of the Israeli companies’ exhibits as outrageous. He described the situation as akin to ‘constructing an Israeli ghetto’.
Herzog’s statement followed a sudden onslaught from Israel against Iran on June 13, under Israel’s defense that Iran was inching dangerously close to possessing a nuclear arsenal. Aiming for Iran’s top-tier commanders and nuclear scientists, the unexpected attack resulted in significant Iranian losses.
In a swift response, Tehran refrained from remaining on the sidelines. A rapid response in the form of missiles ensued, setting in motion a wrecking interchange of destructive offensives between the two nations.