PARIS — Israel will take legal measures against the French government's decision on Tuesday to ban Israeli exporters from exhibiting any of their products at the annual Euronaval maritime industry fair in Paris next month, in yet another sign of the deterioration in bilateral relations.

The president of the Manufacturers' Association of Israel, Ron Tomer, told Al-Monitor on Wednesday that Israeli and French lawyers have been retained to formulate a legal strategy against the French move. "I really thought that these periods where Jews and Israelis are boycotted were behind us," Tomer said. "Such a move by the French government sends an extremely negative message." He added, "I will not stay silent when such measures are taken and will do whatever I can to erase this shameful decision."

The French government did not openly address the decision adopted Tuesday during the weekly cabinet meeting, though French diplomatic sources confirmed it to Al-Monitor. In contrast, Euronaval's press office told Al-Monitor that "Israeli companies and citizens who wish to attend will be welcomed at the show under the conditions listed," meaning they can appear at the fair absent any stand or exhibition of equipment. Seven Israeli defense and maritime companies are affected by this decision. 

Israel's Elbit Systems and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, both leading global defense companies, confirmed to Al-Monitor that they were scheduled to participate in the fair, along with other Israeli companies, but declined to say whether they had received formal notification regarding France's decision.