Ambiguous approach defines European diplomacy amid war against Iran
- Damian Pachter
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
While the initial reaction by European leaders following the Israeli strike on the Ayatollah's regime was one of support, a different story unfolded on the ground. In France, where the Paris Air Show defense exhibition is taking place, authorities blocked the Israeli booth, arguing that a protocolary clause caused a diplomatic incident.
The members of the Israeli delegation arrived at the trade fair at Le Bourget Airport, where they were supposed to present the latest developments in military technology. However, they found their booth covered with black blocks, preventing visitors from checking the place out.
Israel’s Defense Ministry filed a complaint, and in Jerusalem, they see the ban as a strategic step aimed at preventing the country from selling its systems in the middle of a war against Iran. The capabilities surpassed all expectations and were sought by many, a potential economic boost for a country that specializes in military exports.
"This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations," the ministry said in a statement.
"The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition - weapons that compete with French industries,” it added.
French organizers of the exhibition and air show expressed their willingness to work on "a favourable outcome to the situation," in comments published on Reuters on Monday.
The controversy comes as the relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emannuel Macron is tense and heading for collision.
Meanwhile, Germany’s fresh foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, is visiting the Middle East in an attempt to promote a ceasefire between Jerusalem and Tehran, a joint diplomatic effort with his partners from the United Kingdom and France.
“We're offering Iran immediate negotiations about the nuclear programme, I hope it is accepted," Wadephul said.
The German government, headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), was one of the few that received a phone call from Netanyahu, explaining the objectives of the operation now known as Operation Rising Lion.
Israel-Iran war and the G7 summit
In parallel, the Group of Seven, represented by the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy and the host, Canada, held the first session of talks on Monday with the war in the Middle East echoing over the mountains of Kananaskis, Alberta.
A draft statement that circulated earlier and was pushed by the EU members acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense, but also called for de-escalation of tensions.
US President Donald Trump refused to sign the document as the military pressure from the Israel Defense Forces seems to show its fruits.
"They would like to talk, but they should have done it first,” Trump said Monday in allusion to the Ayatollah's regime. "Iran is not winning this war. They should talk, and they need to talk immediately, before it's too late”, he added.
For now, the European diplomatic efforts remain at a declaration level without pressuring the Jewish state. However, this could rapidly change in case it dragged more than expected, an estimation standing at a few more weeks at least, according to Israeli officials.
The other option that might change the balance of power is a more drastic, yet also possible, regime change in Iran by its own people.
Damian Pachter is an Argentine-Israeli journalist based in Berlin. He worked as Chief World editor for Israel Hayom daily and special correspondent for Haaretz newspaper before that. He also anchored the Spanish spoken TV show Ñews24 on i24NEWS and served as its senior editor. Previously, Pachter collaborated with The Associated Press in Buenos Aires, Argentina.