In the skies above Le Bourget, north of Paris, the Rafale fighter jet from Dassault Aviation, painted blue, white and red for the occasion, performed acrobatics under the gaze of thousands of smartphones. In the aisles and at the booths, people mingled, chatted and sipped champagne. The Paris Air Show officially opened on Monday, June 16, and business was already underway – unfazed by the political and diplomatic incident unfolding just a few meters away.

In Hall 3, where exhibitors from various countries gathered, the booths of five Israeli defense companies (Aerospace Industries, Rafael, Uvision, Elbit Systems and Aeronautics) were closed to visitors at the request of the French government. Plywood panels covered with black fabric were installed overnight to block access and hide the displayed equipment. A handful of riot police patrolled the area, but the atmosphere remained calm.

The situation in Gaza is "morally unacceptable" and requires France to show "disapproval" and "distance," Prime Minister François Bayrou said during the show's opening ceremony on Monday. "France considers that the situation for the people of Gaza is terrible – a situation that is extremely serious from a humanitarian and security point of view. France was keen to make it clear that offensive weapons should not be present at this exposition," he added.

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