“We are very happy about this ruling because it sends a message to every country that holds this view that a boycott is not the way to go,” said the chairman and owner of the Israeli company Draco Group Assaf Roet said.
But Mr Root, whose company is involved in legal action brought by the French Israel Chamber of Commerce, said it was too late to send a delegation back to the show.
Other lawsuits are still pending against France over its decision to exclude Israeli companies from the show.
Several pro-Palestinian groups filed a lawsuit alleging that COGES Events needed to take further steps to comply with the ban, arguing that some Israeli companies may be supplying supplies to Israeli forces fighting in Gaza. A court in the northern Paris suburb of Bobigny agreed last week, ruling that organizers of the arms show must ban not only Israeli companies but also anyone acting as an intermediary or representative of an Israeli company, and must ensure that no exhibitor receives, sells or sells goods. or promoting Israeli weapons.
France’s Palestine Solidarity Association, one of the groups that filed the lawsuit, welcomed the ruling and said in a statement that “all political and economic actors have a responsibility to do their utmost to end the ongoing genocide”. Palestinian people.
COGES Events, backed by French authorities, appealed the ruling, arguing it went far beyond the government’s initial demands. The appeal is being heard by the Paris Court of Appeal on Tuesday.
Ron Tomer, president of the Israel Manufacturers Association, one of the main Israeli groups pressuring France to lift the ban, told Kan Radio on Tuesday that the incident “casts a heavy shadow over Israel’s relations with France” ”. He said Israel’s defense industry was strong but the ban had damaged Israel’s image.
“The repercussions outside the defense sector are much greater,” Mr Tomer said.
Jonathan Rice Contributed reporting.
