UK Bars Israeli Delegation from Major Defence Expo Amid Gaza War Tensions
LONDON – The British government has announced that no official Israeli delegation will be invited to attend the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition in London this September.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence, shared with AFP, confirmed the move but noted that Israeli defence firms will still be allowed to participate. Israel immediately condemned the decision, calling it “a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has already suspended arms export licences to Israel, halted trade talks, and sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” the UK statement said. “There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of hostages and an urgent increase in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
Israel’s defence ministry hit back, announcing it would withdraw from DSEI and scrap plans for a national pavilion. The fair, one of the world’s largest defence industry gatherings, is set to run from September 9 to 12 at London’s ExCeL centre.
The move follows France’s decision in June to block several Israeli arms companies from displaying “offensive weapons” at the Paris Air Show.
Protests are also expected at DSEI’s opening. A coalition of more than 100 organisations under the banner “Shut DSEI Down” — including pro-Palestine, climate, anti-imperialist and social justice groups — has pledged to demonstrate at the venue.
Meanwhile, Starmer has signalled that Britain will recognise a Palestinian state next month if Israel does not agree to a Gaza truce. European Union foreign ministers are also due to meet in Copenhagen this weekend to consider fresh sanctions on both Israel and Hamas, with Sweden and the Netherlands already urging stronger measures.
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