“Our Talmudic sages teach us that peace is the key and source of all blessings from God.”
He added: “As a people who pray for the coming of Moshiach (Jewish Messiah), we see the eradication of conflict as an essential part of the ultimate good that humanity should strive for.
“We are enjoined not just ‘to give peace a chance’ but to ‘desire peace and pursue it.’ May we all work towards this and realise our goal.”
Lord Williams said: “The way much of the arms trade works continues to be a blot on the global moral landscape. Governments have been negligent or collusive about the role played by arms exports in sustaining brutal and even genocidal conflicts.”
MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Minister for Defence Procurement, said the DSEI showcased the “best of British defence technology and innovation on the world stage.”
Exhibitors at this year’s event include SIBAT, the International Defence Cooperation Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defence and Israeli Aerospace Industries.
Organisations planning protests include the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Campaign Against Arms Trade and War on Want.
