Pro-Palestinian activists protest Israeli defense firms at Seoul arms expo
Demonstrators with red-painted palms disrupted booths of IAI, Rafael, and Elbit Systems at one of Asia’s premier defense expos.
The end of the Gaza war has yet to ease global criticism of Israel. On Tuesday, dozens of pro-Palestinian activists staged a protest outside the exhibition pavilions of Israeli defense companies participating in the ADEX arms exhibition, currently taking place at Seoul Airport in South Korea.
The protesters painted their palms red and raised them toward the booths of Israeli firms, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and Elbit Systems. Eyewitnesses told Calcalist that the demonstration lasted only a few minutes before the activists dispersed and left the exhibition area. At the same time, a separate group held a protest outside the complex, denouncing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In addition to the defense giants, Israel’s Ministry of Defense Export Division set up a national pavilion showcasing innovations from small defense startups. ADEX, one of Asia-Pacific’s leading aerospace and defense exhibitions, is considered a key venue for promoting new arms deals and strengthening regional defense ties. Israeli defense officials view the event as an opportunity to advance strategic cooperation with South Korea and other regional partners.
However, the participation of Israeli arms manufacturers in international defense fairs has faced mounting challenges over the past two years. Reports of mass casualties in Gaza have led several countries, including France, to bar Israeli firms from displaying many of their products at arms expos.
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Israel’s growing isolation may soon extend to the Gulf. Defense sources told Calcalist that Israeli companies are expected to be excluded from next month’s arms exhibition in Dubai. Firms scheduled to present their technologies were informed that their participation would not be approved. According to estimates, the decision followed last month’s failed airstrike in which Israel reportedly attempted to target Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar.
Senior figures in Israel’s defense sector have expressed hope that the end of the Gaza conflict, imposed on Israel under the terms set by U.S. President Donald Trump, could gradually ease the wave of protests that have dogged the country’s arms manufacturers worldwide. “Over the past two years, this has become an oppressive routine that follows us wherever we go,” said a senior executive at one of the Israeli companies.
