The United Kingdom has announced that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend the upcoming Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London, citing Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The biennial event, regarded as Britain’s flagship defence trade show, will take place from September 9 to 12 at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands and usually draws hundreds of global defence firms alongside official government delegations.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed the decision, linking it directly to Israel’s escalation in Gaza. “The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” the spokesperson said. “As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025.” The government added that it continues to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel’s defence ministry strongly condemned the move, describing it as a “deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination.” It announced it would not set up a national pavilion at DSEI, arguing that the UK’s decision had politicised a professional defence exhibition. However, the ministry said Israeli defence companies choosing to participate independently would continue to receive its “full support.”
Despite the absence of an official delegation, individual Israeli defence firms will still be allowed to exhibit at the trade fair. Many of these firms, such as Elbit Systems, are closely tied to the Israeli state. This aspect drew criticism from activists and opposition politicians in the UK who accused the government of taking only symbolic steps while avoiding a tougher stance on arms exports. Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Helen Maguire said, “The government is sticking its head in the sand if it believes this is a substitute for banning arms exports to Israel. Anything less would be an utter dereliction of this government’s duty to end the human catastrophe in Gaza.”
Campaign groups have also raised concerns, with the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) calling the decision “cowardly and symbolic.” Emily Apple, the group’s media coordinator, argued that it was Israel, not the UK, that withdrew the pavilion. She said the government was “pretending to take action while safeguarding the profits of arms dealers,” noting that prominent Israeli firms would still be welcomed at the exhibition. Activists had already planned protests at DSEI this year, and campaigners say the government’s partial restriction does little to change the situation.
The move comes amid growing criticism in Britain of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, Israel has launched an extensive military campaign in the enclave. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that 62,966 people have been killed, including at least 18,592 children. The UN has accused Israel of restricting aid and confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with more than half a million people facing starvation. Israel denies these allegations, insisting its military operations are aimed solely at destroying Hamas.
UK leaders have stepped up their criticism in recent months. In May, Britain suspended trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador, and imposed sanctions on West Bank settlers. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has repeatedly condemned Israel’s escalation in Gaza as “morally unjustifiable,” while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Israeli strikes on a Gaza hospital that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, were “completely indefensible.”
Following Labour’s victory in last year’s election, the government suspended 30 out of 350 export licences for arms sales to Israel but stopped short of banning components for F-35 fighter jets, which have been heavily used in Gaza. Officials argued that such parts are shipped to international manufacturers and cannot be restricted by the UK alone.
The DSEI exhibition is a high-profile stage for governments and defence companies to showcase military technology. By barring Israel’s official presence, the UK has sent one of its strongest signals yet of disapproval over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, though critics say the step falls far short of the kind of sanctions and arms embargoes campaigners are demanding.
