A major arms fair is set to kick off in London on Tuesday, but notable Israeli government officials will be absent due to increasing tensions between Britain and Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration opted to exclude these officials from the four-day event. However, a total of 51 Israeli defense companies, including prominent arms manufacturer Elbit Systems, are still slated to participate.
Among those companies, state-owned entities like Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries will also showcase their offerings, positioning Israel as the fifth-largest national contingent at the event, trailing only behind the UK, United States, Australia, and Germany. This year’s edition of the biennial Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair is expected to attract a large number of exhibitors and visitors, as global geopolitical tensions, notably the Russia-Ukraine war, have driven many nations to enhance their military capabilities.
A coalition comprising over 100 grassroots organizations and activist groups, including those advocating for Palestinian rights and anti-arms campaigns, is anticipated to gather at the Excel London exhibition center. Emily Apple, a spokesperson for the Campaign Against Arms Trade, stated that Israeli companies participating in the fair “should be investigated for crimes against humanity, not invited to profit from the unspeakable devastation they have caused in Gaza.”
In late August, Britain’s defense ministry announced that no Israeli government delegation would be attending the DSEI fair. The ministry attributed this decision to Israel’s escalation of military operations in Gaza, where it aims to suppress Hamas militants.
Israel responded strongly to its officials’ exclusion, calling it an act of “discrimination.” Meanwhile, coinciding with the arms fair, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to arrive in London for a three-day official visit. His visit aims to show solidarity with the Jewish community, which has reportedly experienced a troubling surge in antisemitic attacks.
The DSEI fair promises “unrivalled access to international governments and ministries of defense,” according to its official website. France, which also has a presence at the event, previously barred several Israeli arms firms from exhibiting at the Paris Air Show due to concerns about the display of “offensive weapons.”
In response to the evolving situation in the Middle East, Labour leader Keir Starmer indicated that Britain is prepared to formally recognize a Palestinian state later this month unless Israel takes significant steps, including agreeing to a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict sparked by Hamas’s recent assault on Israel. London’s government has suspended certain trade talks and export licenses related to arms used in Gaza but continues to export some UK-made components, such as parts for Israeli F-35 jets.
