The UK government has banned Israeli government representatives from attending the DSEI defence exhibition in September while permitting Israeli industry and UK subsidiaries to participate. Prime Ministerial action is linked to Keir Starmer's preparations to recognise a Palestinian state if Israel does not alleviate suffering in Gaza and meet other conditions. The UK called Israel's escalation in Gaza wrong and demanded an immediate ceasefire, hostage returns, and increased humanitarian aid. Israel's defence ministry will not run a national pavilion, though companies such as Elbit, Rafael, IAI and Uvision may attend. The decision echoes a recent Paris air show dispute and drew Israeli criticism of discrimination.
A UK government spokesperson said: The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong. As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025. 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.
Israel's defence ministry said that as a result of the trade fair ban it would not run its national pavilion as it has done previously at the DSEI. Israeli defence companies, such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI and Uvision, will be able to attend. Britain's move has echoes of a dispute at the Paris air show three months ago, when France blocked off with black partitions the stands of Israeli defence companies after they refused to remove attack weapons from display,
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