Israeli defense company Rafael plans to sue the French government after its Paris Air Show booth was sealed in a move the company said was discriminatory and deliberate.

Rafael was one of five Israeli companies blocked after French officials instructed organizers to enforce a ban on “offensive weapons” being displayed due to Israel’s campaign in Gaza. Four other Israeli companies were allowed to keep their booths open as they complied with the order.

Rafael’s Executive Vice President Shlomo Toaff told POLITICO on Tuesday that the French authorities knew exactly what would be on display, and complained there was no process or right to appeal the decision.

“Of course, we will have to apply to another court, and of course, we will sue the French government for damages,” he added. The company did not say when the suit would be filed, but said it is facing losses “in the mid-double-digit million range.”

On Monday, Rafael’s booth was enclosed with black panels, access was denied, and police were stationed outside. Images taken by the AFP agency on Monday showed yellow writing on one of the black walls around the stands. Accompanied by a drawing of an Israeli flag, it read: “Behind these walls are the best defense systems used by many countries. These systems are protecting the state of Israel these days.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the French authorities’ actions as “outrageous” and called for them to be “immediately corrected.”

Toaff said Rafael submitted its booth layout and listed its displayed systems months ago. The equipment passed through French customs weeks before the show.

French organizers later offered to reopen the booth if Rafael agreed to remove certain items. The company refused. “All our weapons will stay,” Toaff said. “We do not agree with this one-sided approach unless all companies are treated equally.”

Rafael makes air defense systems that are part of Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems, as well as Python and Sky Sting air-to-air missiles, Sparrow air-launched ballistic missiles and electronic warfare systems.

A French official told POLITICO that Israeli authorities were informed weeks in advance that offensive weapons would not be permitted at the show, and claimed that Israel’s ambassador in Paris had agreed to the restrictions.

The dispute has unfolded amid increasingly strained relations between the French and Israeli governments.

Israel is under fire for the way it is conducting its campaign in the Gaza Strip following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The death toll in Gaza is estimated at over 55,000.

Toaff pointed to French Rafale strike aircraft and missile systems on display as evidence of unequal enforcement. “If a French company can display offensive weapons, there is no reason we cannot,” he said.

Despite being cordoned off, Rafael has continued to hold business meetings in borrowed spaces elsewhere at the show. “Many people are coming to our booth just to say how absurd this is,” Toaff said. “We are not hiding. We’re here.”

Israeli companies have faced similar pressure at other recent French arms shows. The Paris Air Show runs through Friday.

Laura Kayali and Lars Petersen, a reporter at Welt, which is a sister publication of POLITICO in the Axel Springer Group, contributed to this report.