London (AFP) – A major arms fair opens Tuesday in London without the presence of Israeli government officials due to worsening diplomatic relations between Britain and Israel over the Gaza conflict.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration excluded the officials from the four-day event, but not the 51 Israeli defence companies that are set to attend including major arms manufacturer Elbit.
State-owned Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries will also have exhibitions, making Israel the fifth-largest national contingent after the UK, United States, Australia and Germany.
A coalition of more than 100 grassroots organisations and activist groups, including supporters of the Palestinians and anti-arms protestors, are expected to descend on the Excel London exhibition centre in the British capital, which is hosting the biennial DSEI UK trade fair.
Israeli companies exhibiting “should be investigated for crimes against humanity, not invited to profit from the unspeakable devastation they have caused in Gaza”, Campaign Against Arms Trade spokesperson Emily Apple said in a statement.
Britain’s defence ministry announced at the end of August that no Israeli government delegation had been invited, citing Israel’s “decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza”, where Israel is battling to crush Hamas militants.
Israel slammed the exclusion of its officials from the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair as “discrimination”.
London has suspended trade talks with Israel over the conflict, as well as some export licences for arms used in Gaza, but some UK-made parts, such as components for Israeli F-35 jets, are still exported.
lowleekun@ani.social 1 week ago
Sanctions. We need sanctions. Preferably yesterday but today is the second best time.
What do western govs do? Blabber nonsense and do nothing. Honestly i want to thank them as it has opened my eyes to how non-functional our countries really are. Nothing but “shut up and carry on” while more and more problems arise in our society.