UK blocks Israeli Defense Ministry from London arms fair over Gaza war
Israeli defense companies may still exhibit individually at DSEI, but the national pavilion will be absent.
The British government has decided to bar representatives of Israel’s Ministry of Defense from participating in the prestigious DSEI defense exhibition, scheduled to take place in London in the coming days. The decision comes in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, with British authorities conditioning the Ministry of Defense’s participation on Israel’s commitment to “comply with international law.” Representatives of Israeli defense companies will still be permitted to attend the exhibition.
The Defense Export Controls Agency (DECA) of Israel’s Ministry of Defense typically organizes a national pavilion at international exhibitions, showcasing small and medium-sized defense companies. Following the British decision, the Ministry will be unable to set up a pavilion at DSEI and will not send official representatives. Companies that have already registered will be allowed to exhibit, but without the national pavilion or the Ministry’s presence, a move seen as a significant reputational blow to Israel.
About 50 Israeli defense companies were expected to exhibit at the London show, including approximately 20 that were to participate under the national pavilion. Among these are six startups operating under the Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D).
Security sources told Calcalist that a decision will soon be made regarding the framework under which small companies may participate in the exhibition despite the absence of a national pavilion. Allowing Israeli defense firms to exhibit, even under restrictions, is intended to mitigate the damage caused by broader international boycotts of Israeli arms companies.
The defense establishment views the DSEI exhibition as a particularly prestigious marketing event, even more so than comparable shows in France. In recent years, DSEI has expanded significantly, attracting representatives from armies and security organizations worldwide, against a backdrop of heightened global demand for weapons systems.
The Ministry of Defense called Britain’s move “an offensive and shameful step deliberately taken against Israeli representatives,” reiterating that its officials will not attend the exhibition. It added that Israeli companies that choose to participate will continue to receive full support from the Ministry.
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The Ministry further stated, “This decision 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. Britain is taking a step that serves extremists and legitimizes terrorism, a political decision that exceeds the professional scope of international defense exhibitions.”
Earlier this month, Israeli defense companies were also barred from participating in the NEDS arms exhibition in the Netherlands, scheduled for November. This event focuses on combat systems and technological developments in the maritime sector. Companies planning to participate included Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and Elbit Systems.
In June, Israeli company pavilions at the Paris Air Show were sealed by the exhibition organizers on behalf of the French government. Last year, France also prevented Israeli participation in two other Paris-based defense exhibitions, citing similar political pressure intended to influence Israel’s operations in Gaza.
