France was the top arms exporter to Israel in 2024, despite having imposed a ban on some sales to Tel Aviv over the genocide in Gaza.
Data published by the EU on Wednesday showed France granted €362m ($424m) worth of arms-export licences in 2024, followed by Germany ($198m) and Greece ($133m).
According to EUobserver, the majority of the 2024 French licences covered parts and military software, but it also included €122m ($143m) of “ammunition” and €18m ($21m) of “bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices”.
Despite France’s support for Israel, Tel Aviv announced in March it would be ending security procurement from France after it claimed Paris had a “hostile” attitude to them.
Israeli media cited Paris’s support for a UN resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel, for which France had actually abstained from voting, as well as French restrictions on Israeli participation in defence exhibitions.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on
Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The Jerusalem Post reported that existing contracts and private companies would still be allowed to make deals.
In June 2025, five Israeli arms manufacturers exhibiting offensive weapons were barred from attending the Paris Air Show, leading to accusations of antisemitism by Israeli officials.
Four Israeli booths were eventually allowed to exhibit and, in November, all Israeli arms manufacturers were permitted to participate in the Milipol trade show.