UK Bars Israeli Officials from London Arms Fair Amid Growing Tensions Over Gaza War

The UK government has announced that Israeli officials will not be invited to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair in London next month, in a move highlighting escalating diplomatic strains between Britain and Israel over the Gaza conflict.

“We can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025 in September,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement to AFP on Friday.

While Israeli defence firms will still be allowed to exhibit, the exclusion of government representatives drew sharp condemnation from Israel’s defence ministry, which labelled the decision “a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination.” The ministry added that it would withdraw from the event entirely and scrap plans for a national pavilion.

The decision comes against the backdrop of a series of measures by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government: the suspension of UK arms export licences for use in Gaza, a freeze on trade negotiations with Israel, and sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers.

“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” the UK government said, calling for “an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a surge in humanitarian aid.”

Last month, Starmer warned that Britain would formally recognise a Palestinian state in September if Israel failed to take concrete steps toward peace, including agreeing to a truce in the war sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 assault.

France took a similar step in June, blocking Israeli arms makers from showcasing “offensive weapons” at the Paris Air Show.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers are set to convene in Copenhagen on Saturday to discuss potential new sanctions against both Israel and Hamas, with Sweden and the Netherlands pushing for tougher action.