Protesters gathered outside one of the world’s largest arms expo on Monday to call for an end to weapons sales to Israel, days after companies from the country were banned from the event in Paris.
A French district court has prevented representatives from Israeli companies from visiting the Eurosatory arms fair because their participation would present "a concern of clear illegality", French media reported.
The ruling to ban "Israeli delegations, intermediaries and companies in any form" is to be posted at all entrances to the show as part of the order, said Palestinian rights group Al Haq, which presented the case alongside French NGOs.
The French government announced in May that Israeli companies would be banned from exhibiting at the fair, after Israel began ground operations in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians were sheltering from the war.
“Conditions are no longer met to host Israeli companies at the show at a time when the President [Emmanuel Macron] is calling for Israel to cease operations in Rafah,” the French Defence Ministry said last month.
Israel joined Russia and Belarus on the list of countries banned from participating at the event, which runs until June 21. Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems were among the 74 Israeli companies scheduled to take part in the event. Ten planned to exhibit weapons, organiser Coges Events said previously.
Israel Aerospace Industries planned to exhibit its Drone Guard Gen 5 defence system and its Barak MX integrated missile system, a brochure on its website shows. Elbit was to present its PULS multiple-rocket launcher and the Sigma next-generation howitzer, it told US publication Defense News before the ban was announced.
Coges Events plans to appeal the decision, The Times of Israel reported.
The court reviewed evidence given by Al Haq and its French partners on June 6.
The groups said that, despite the initial government ban, there was “still a high risk” the exhibition would contribute to international crimes in Palestine if representatives of Israeli companies were permitted to buy arms at the event.
The case showed how Israeli companies sought to circumvent the government ban by exhibiting at the stands of other companies, while the groups also said “at least seven” subsidiary companies registered for the event were majority-owned by Israeli companies.
"The judges dismissed all Coges arguments and ruled in favour of Al Haq and partners on all grounds," Al Haq said in a statement.
"This decision sets an important precedent, in that it recalls that private companies such as Coges are bound by the law, to prevent any risk of contributing in any way to serious international crimes regardless of the measures taken by the executive."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Match info
Uefa Nations League A Group 4
England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')
Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)
Mane points for safe home colouring
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The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
