Join the Leading Members of the Franco-Israeli Chamber of Commerce for the 2025 General Assembly
This annual gathering is a unique opportunity to connect, reflect on past achievements, and shape the future of bilateral business relations.
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July 2, 2025 | ð Location: Tel Aviv | ðïļ CCIIF Annual Event
“Doing business with France” with Gal Mor, Minister for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Israel Embassy in Paris
In these troubled days and hostile environment it is important that Israel-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry does its duty and continues its activity to favor the business relationships between the two countries.Â
Especially under current circumstances, we do encourage you to register to upcoming CCIIF webinar “Doing business with France” with Gal Mor, Minister for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Israel Embassy in Paris, as guest speaker, and to take part in this important discussion.Â
The webinar was held in English on Wednesday, June 25th, at 11:30 AM (Israel time).
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Conference “What future for Israeli exports?” by Noam Gonen, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at Deloitte
About 100 French and Israeli business leaders gathered at the French ambassadorâs residence to celebrate the Israel-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry as tensions between France and Israel rise over Lebanon .
Amb. FrÃĐdÃĐric JournÃĻs, second from left, and Julien Roitman, second from right, with other attendees. (Embassy of France in Israel)
“The relationship between France and Israel is rich, rooted in history, and based on shared values of freedom and entrepreneurship, fueled by constant exchanges between our economic communities,â said Franceâs Ambassador to Israel, FrÃĐdÃĐric JournÃĻs, speaking at his official residence in Jaffa at an event held in honor of the Israel-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIIF).
About a hundred French and Israeli business leaders gathered at the reception which was also attended by French Member of Parliament, Caroline Yadan, who represents the Eighth constituency for French residents overseas.
“The unique position of the CCIIF allows us to promote the economic interests of our members and intervene on their behalf whenever necessary,â said Julien Roitman, CCIIF president, in remarks at the event. âWe are at your disposal to launch new initiatives and develop new partnership programs between France and Israel. France is the gateway to Europe. It has been for centuries a land of scientists and engineers, and is by tradition one of the countries most open to innovation.â
Israelâs high-tech sector, he notes, continues to be the envy of the world. âMacron was here when he was Minister of Economics and he was astonished by what he found here regarding innovation. Heâs tried to replicate it in France.â
Founded in 1957 after the Suez Crisis, the CCIF is a non-profit organization which âseeks to help foster, enhance and preserve economic ties between Israel and France.â The group comprises large corporations, mid-size companies, small businesses and startups, banks, VCs, incubators and accelerators. The chamber seeks to help Israeli and French companies to operate and develop their businesses to the other country, and to protect and represent the interests of Israeli companies in France and French companies in Israel.
It has also thrust a wedge between Israel and France which holds âfraternal relationsâ with Lebanon as President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised speech to the Lebanese people. âFranceâs attitude [to Israel] is very dependent on what happens in Lebanon because France considers itself a protector of sorts in Lebanon. Roughly 30,000 French citizens live in Lebanon. Iâve heard from French officials how concerned they are about an Israeli incursion [into Lebanon],â said Roitman.
Fears about the impact on relations between Israeli and French companies, however, does not appear to be profound. âOfficially the state will never boycott [Israel] nor will companies but there is the pressure of the consumer. Self-censorship exists but the bulk of companies continue to do business with Israel,â says Roitman.
French companies are continuing to operate in Israel, and some have even moved to Israel in the last year. âIt wasnât a political act to open a branch here. Thereâs an economy here; our clients are working. We have 70 international clients present in Israel. There was great demand to open here,â says Claude Nahon, Managing Director at French retail marketing giant Altaviaâs Israel branch, one of the sponsors of the event. Altavia opened their branch in Israel in October 2023 following the October 7th attacks. âWeâre on track with what weâve wanted to do. This is a well organized country, far more regulated than we think and open for business.â
If anything, the shifting sands of geopolitics highlight the need for preserving economic relations, says Roitman. âTimes change, governments change, relationships between countries evolve with ups and downs, but if two nations are tied to each other with strong economic and cultural links, they have a better chance at overcoming temporary disagreements.â
The event felt especially poignant as many in attendance spoke of the significance of upholding French-Israeli relations amid Israelâs war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollahâs relentless bombardment of northern Israel since October 8th, 2023, has resulted in the months-long displacement of approximately 60,000 Israeli citizens and numerous casualties most infamously the killing of 12 Druze children in the Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams in August.
Recent weeks have seen a shift in the war with Israel launching a series of targeted assassinations and counter strikes across the country, and have seemingly eviscerated Hezbollahâs high command, most recently and importantly Hasan Nasrallah, Hezbollahâs erstwhile leader. The fighting has led to chaos in Lebanon with mass displacement across the country, with AP reporting that approximately 211,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced, according to UN estimates.
VivaTech accelerates innovation by connecting startups, tech leaders, major companies, and investors responding to our worldâs biggest challenges. Each year, VivaTech creates Europeâs biggest startup and tech event. In 2026 VivaTech saw the emergence of a new player: “Abraham in Tech,” the technological innovation version of the Abraham accords. A brilliant concept bringing together 15 Israeli startups led by Yossi Dan with the sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel-France (CCIIF), 11 Moroccan startups and 4 startups from the Emirates. Led by Elnet and its boss AriÃĐ Bensemhoun,the Abraham in Tech stand was honored with the visit of Maurice Levy, inventor, founder and president of VivaTech, that of Joshua Zarka, Israelâs ambassador to France, and that of Chemi Peres, co-founder and co-owner of Pitango, who came to honor the memory of late Shimon Peres, who was president of the State of Israel and above all a promoter of technological innovation as a driver of peace in the Middle East, by unveiling a plaque in his name. Among those present were Dror Bin, Israelâs Director of Innovation, Michal Michaeli, Director of International Development at Tel-Aviv Global, Julien Roitman, CCIIF President, and many others. It would be hard to account for all the meetings, exchanges, and conferences that made these two days such a strong and very promising event. Seeing all this, we can be sure that soon everyone will understand what InnovaZion means…
 France Alumni Day 2026 – Scientific talents: discover, innovate, undertake Â
French Ambassador FrÃĐdÃĐric JournÃĻs recently hosted, at his residence in Jaffa and with the support of the France-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a private gathering bringing together the local heads of major French groups operating in Israel for an exchange of views on the current business environment. The occasion allowed the ambassador to share a stimulating and high-level perspective on the current situation, as well as on the risks and opportunities facing companies closely connected to both countries.
Among those participating in the meeting â aimed at promoting the France brand and highlighting Israelâs attractiveness â were representatives of Alstom, Schneider Electric, Dassault SystÃĻmes, Thales, EDF Renewables, Egis and Coface, as well as those from LâOrÃĐal, Sodexo, Decathlon, Altavia, Air France and i24NEWS. Discussions focused on Israelâs macroeconomic situation, which remains favorable and demonstrates notable resilience despite the war, as well as on the promising prospects now beginning to emerge.
Participants emphasized the value of the example set by the companies present, which continue to operate successfully in Israel, raise funds and expand despite challenging conditions. The meeting also highlighted the importance of a coordinated effort to convince French decision-makers of the strategic and commercial value of the Israeli market and to encourage them to maintain and deepen their engagement there.
The security situation was naturally also addressed, with participants noting the contrasting perceptions across different markets, which often complicate decision-making and risk assessment. Ultimately, the discussions reflected a shared confidence among these business leaders in Israelâs economic fundamentals and their collective commitment to maintaining and expanding the presence of French companies in the country.
By general consensus, the meeting was considered highly enriching â an excellent opportunity to exchange views with peers and strengthen an important relationship between the two business communities. It may well serve as the prelude to the creation of a kind of âCEO Circleâ that the embassy and the Chamber of Commerce could consult whenever needed.
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