France has informed Israel’s defence ministry that official Israeli participation will not be permitted at this month’s edition of the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, according to the Israeli ministry.

In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the French government had decided to prohibit the establishment of an official Israeli national pavilion at the exhibition, one of Europe’s largest international arms fairs.

The ministry added that the French decision also restricts Israeli defence companies from displaying offensive combat systems, allowing only air defence-related products to be exhibited.

It called the French decision “a disgraceful decision, one that reeks of political and commercial calculation, and regrettably, it comes as no surprise.”

The latest move comes amid growing tensions between Paris and Tel Aviv over Israel’s offensives in Gaza and Lebanon, with mounting international scrutiny of arms exports and defence ties associated with the ongoing conflicts.

Eurosatory, held biennially near Paris, is among the world's largest defence and security exhibitions, attracting military officials, government representatives and defence manufacturers from dozens of countries.