The French authorities have barred eight Israeli companies from participating in the Milipol Paris security and defence exhibition, which is scheduled to be held in the French capital next week.

According to […] Channel 12, the French government informed Tel Aviv of its decision after reviewing the list of Israeli firms registered for the event, though it has not yet revealed the names of the companies affected.

Paris justified its move by saying that allowing those companies to take part “would create a problem” in the current circumstances. It added that other Israeli firms which were also reviewed would still be permitted to attend.

Channel 12 reported that the French authorities expressed concern to their Israeli counterparts about possible protests or disturbances during the exhibition by pro-Palestinian organisations.

France is expected to announce on Wednesday the names of the eight excluded companies, out of a total of 45 Israeli firms that had been listed to participate. It remains unclear whether the ban is linked to the activities of those companies in Gaza or in West Bank settlements.

Milipol Paris, due to take place from 18 to 25 November, is one of the world’s largest exhibitions specialising in homeland security and defence, attracting hundreds of security firms and institutions from around the globe.

I can’t say that I am impressed.