Israel's economy minister calls France's ban on Israeli weapons at Eurosatory 'shameful', vows to bypass France
Israel's Economy Minister Nir Barkat called France's decision to ban Israeli offensive weapons from the Eurosatory defence fair 'shameful' and warned that Israeli companies would 'bypass France and get to our customers.' Speaking to FRANCE 24, Barkat said Israel had 'no choice but to eliminate' Iran's capabilities, including its nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile programme. He also cautioned Hezbollah in Lebanon was 'playing with fire' and defended Israel's battered reputation abroad, saying he preferred 'to be alive and deal with my image than be dead with a good image.'
Israel's Economy Minister Nir Barkat, a former mayor of Jerusalem and a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, called France's decision to ban Israeli offensive weapons from the Eurosatory defence fair 'shameful' and warned that Israeli companies would 'bypass France and get to our customers.'
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Barkat said Israel had 'no choice but to eliminate' Iran's capabilities, including its nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile programme and network of proxy forces. He acknowledged the task against Iran was 'not over' and said it would be up to Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump to decide on diplomacy or 'another round of war.'
On Lebanon, Barkat said Israel would continue to act against threats emanating from the country and warned that Hezbollah was 'playing with fire.'
Asked about Israel's battered reputation abroad, Barkat said: 'I prefer to be alive and deal with my image than be dead with a good image.'
Despite the ongoing conflicts, Barkat argued Israel's economy remained resilient, citing projected GDP growth of 5 percent and a stock market that he said was delivering 'the highest return relative to any other stock exchange in the world.'