Israel retaliates against France over arms shipment blockade
Israel announces retaliatory measures against France after Paris denied airspace access for arms shipments to Israel, drawing criticism from Trump.
Tensions between Israel and France have escalated after US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Paris for denying airspace access for an ammunition shipment destined for Israel. In response, Israel's Defense Ministry announced retaliatory steps, including reducing defense procurement from France to zero and canceling a planned visit by a senior French defense official.
In a Truth Social post, Trump described the French decision as "very unhelpful" to the US-Israeli war on Iran, warning that Washington "will remember" this move. France's restriction is part of a broader arms sales embargo to Israel imposed over a year ago, as part of pressure efforts on Jerusalem over its military actions in Gaza.
Amir Baram, Director-General of Israel's Defense Ministry, stated in an interview that Israel aims to curb reliance on foreign arms suppliers, particularly from countries like France that it does not view as "friendly." Additionally, the cancellation of a visit by Alice Ruffo, a deputy to the French Armed Forces Minister, was confirmed, with Ruffo instead traveling to Lebanon to oversee the delivery of armored personnel carriers.
Reports indicate this marks the first time Paris has refused access to an Israel-bound arms shipment since the campaign against Iran was launched over a month ago. A 2025 parliamentary report noted that French exports of dual-use goods to Israel fell by 60% in 2024, reflecting the deterioration in bilateral defense relations.
