UK
Israel banned from UK’s flagship defence show
British government says ‘no Israeli delegation’ invited to DSEI UK trade fair, blaming ‘wrong’ Gaza operation
August 29, 2025 09:56
British government says ‘no Israeli delegation’ invited to DSEI UK trade fair, blaming ‘wrong’ Gaza operation
August 29, 2025 09:56The UK government has barred Israeli officials from next month’s flagship defence show in London amid continued condemnation of the war in Gaza.
Israel said the decision not to invite its national representatives to the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition was a “deliberate... act of discrimination” and “introduces political considerations wholly inappropriate for a professional defence industry exhibition”.
As a result of the ban, Israel will not run its national pavilion as it had done in previous years at the biennial military trade fair.
A spokesperson for the UK government confirmed that Israel would not be invited to take part, explaining that the ban was because “the Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong”.
“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,” they added.
Israeli defence companies that are not state-owned, such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI and Uvision, will still be able to participate in DSEI, and Israel’s defence ministry said these companies had the country’s “full support”.
About 50 Israeli companies were scheduled to exhibit at the London fair, including approximately 20 that were to participate under the national pavilion, according to Israeli media reports.
It is expected that their presence will draw protests from anti-Israel campaigners.
The four-day trade event at London’s ExCel Centre is organised by a private company, Clarion Defence & Security, and backed by the UK government and Armed Forces.
It is scheduled to open on September 9 and will feature a mixture of national delegations and private firms showcasing their military apparatus.
Israel’s defence ministry said the move to block the country from attending the exhibition “comes at a time when the State of Israel is engaged in simultaneous conflicts against extremist Islamic elements who threaten, among other things, Western countries and international shipping lanes”.
It also claimed the decision “serves extremists and legitimises terrorism".
Earlier this month, Israeli companies were barred from participating in the NEDS arms show in the Netherlands, scheduled for November.
Meanwhile, in June, France blocked Israeli delegations from showcasing their military equipment at the Paris Airshow – a move that also affected Israel’s private companies. Israel said the decision was “outrageous and unprecedented”.
The UK’s decision comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer prepares to recognise a Palestinian state next month, after warning Israel his government would do so if Jerusalem did not take steps to end the war in Gaza and relieve suffering in the Gaza Strip.
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