Paris Cargo Workers Refuse to Load Elbit Military Shipment Bound for Israel
Cargo handlers in Paris have reportedly refused to load an Elbit military shipment onto an El Al flight to Tel Aviv, marking another incident in strained Israel-France relations.
An incident amid rising tensions between Israel and France emerged on Friday as cargo handlers at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport refused to load a military shipment from Elbit Systems onto an Elal flight bound for Tel Aviv.
The workers' union controlling cargo operations decided to boycott the shipment, blocking it from being loaded onto the aircraft. Israeli security officials have reportedly stepped in to help resolve the crisis and ensure the delivery reaches Israel.
Tensions between Jerusalem and Paris have significantly escalated since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, leading to several restrictive measures against Israeli defense contractors. In June of this year, Israeli pavilions at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in France were boarded up with wooden panels, mirroring restrictions imposed the previous year.
The blockades occurred despite Israeli companies complying with strict French government requirements to display defensive weaponry only. Affected firms during those measures included Aeronautics, Orbit, Gilat, Source, Moked, Smart Shooter, and others.