Pro-Palestinian Protesters Rally Outside London Arms Fair

TDT | LONDON

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Around 300 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair in London on Tuesday, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs such as "UK: Stop arming Israel. Stop the Gaza Genocide."

The event opened without Israeli government officials, following tensions between Britain and Israel over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The British government said it had excluded Israeli officials due to Israel’s “decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza.”

Despite the absence of officials, 51 Israeli defence companies are still attending the four-day event, including major manufacturers Elbit, Rafael, and Israel Aerospace Industries. Israel remains the fifth-largest national presence at the exhibition, held at London’s ExCeL centre.

Emily Apple, spokesperson for Campaign Against Arms Trade, criticized the participation of Israeli firms, saying they “should be investigated for crimes against humanity, not invited to profit from the unspeakable devastation they have caused in Gaza.”

Israel condemned the exclusion of its officials, calling it “discrimination,” even as Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in London on Tuesday for a three-day official visit.