Israeli officials banned from UK's leading arms fair

The move by the British government was denounced as 'discrimination' by Israel

Visitors stands by an intelligent aircraft built by BAE Systems at the Defence and Security Equipment International fair at the ExCeL centre, London, 12 September 2023 (Daniel Leal / AFP)

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Israeli officials have been banned by the UK government from attending the country's leading arms fair in London.

Israeli defence companies will still be allowed to attend London’s Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) show in September.

However, the government said in a statement that Israeli officials would not be allowed to attend due to the country's continuing assault on Gaza.

“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong. As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025," the government said in a statement carried by the Guardian.

“There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”

The DSEI show takes place at the ExCeL centre in London each year.

This year it is scheduled to be held between 9-12 September.

In response to the ban, which they denounced as "discrimination", Israel said they would not establish a national pavilion at the exhibition, which they have done in previous years.

The Israeli defence ministry said the ban on officials "serves extremists, grants legitimacy to terror, and is driven by political considerations that fall outside the professional and customary framework of international defence exhibitions."

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The DSEI, organised by Clarion Defence & Security, is supported by the UK government and features representatives from an array of private companies and governments, including many engaged in routine human rights abuses, according to anti-arms trade campaigners and human rights organisations.

It is regularly the target of protesters who accuse it of normalising the sale of weapons to despotic governments.

In a statement, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said it welcomed the ban on Israeli officials, but said the fair should be cancelled in its entirety.

"The UK government is still allowing Israeli arms companies to exhibit and market their weapons freely. Israeli arms companies, such as Elbit Systems and Rafael, supply the Israeli military with a range of weaponry essential to carry out its genocide," they wrote on X.

PSC added that it would still be taking part in protests outside the arms fair on 10 September.

Israel's genocide in Gaza

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Israeli officials banned from UK's leading arms fair

Israeli officials banned from UK's leading arms fair

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