The United Kingdom government has announced that Israeli officials will not be invited to the biennial Defense and Security Equipment International exhibition. The event will open in London on 9 September 2025 and will be hosted at Excel London. It is considered the most prominent arms fair in the country and draws international delegations.
Officials from the U.K. government explained that the decision followed intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza. A spokesperson described those operations as wrong and emphasized that the United Kingdom seeks an immediate ceasefire, the return of hostages, and a significant increase in humanitarian assistance reaching civilians within the war-stricken enclave.
Israeli private defense companies are permitted to attend the exhibition. Companies expected to participate include Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Uvision. The absence of an official Israeli pavilion and ministerial delegation reduces the governmental visibility of Israel within the international defense gathering.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense condemned the decision. Officials described the restriction as a regrettable act of discrimination and asserted that political considerations should not interfere with a professional trade exhibition. In response, the ministry confirmed that no official pavilion would be presented, although private companies remain free to exhibit.
Note that the exhibition has long been recognized as a platform for governments and defense industries to display technology, negotiate contracts, and hold discussions on military cooperation. It frequently attracts thousands of visitors, high-ranking official delegations, and even widespread demonstrations from protest groups opposed to global arms trading.
The decision reflects a broader recalibration of U.K. policy toward Israel during the ongoing and longstanding Gaza conflict. In May, London paused bilateral free trade negotiations with Israel and summoned its ambassador for discussions. It imposed sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers over inflammatory rhetoric and settler violence the following month.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly warned that Britain will recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel adopts measures that ease the humanitarian crisis. The ban on Israeli officials at the exhibition is therefore part of a wider diplomatic strategy designed to signal disapproval while maintaining limited avenues of defense industry cooperation.
Comparisons with the Paris Air Show earlier this year were drawn. France restricted Israeli military displays after controversy surrounding weaponry demonstrations. Such actions illustrate a growing European willingness to use commercial and diplomatic events to pressure Israel, highlighting increasing political consequences surrounding its Gaza military campaign.
Practical implications are significant. Official Israeli representation usually facilitates state-to-state meetings, military exchanges, and promotional support for companies. The political influence of Israel within the event is reduced by barring its participation. Note that individual businesses remain capable of negotiating contracts and presenting technologies.
Photo Credit: Delegate Connect / Main Entrance to the Excel London Event Center / 2021 / Adapted / CC BY 2.0