Israeli government representatives will not be invited to attend a London arms fair, a UK government spokesperson said Friday, amid worsening diplomatic relations between Britain and Israel over Gaza.
“We can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025” in September, said a defence ministry statement emailed to AFP.
Israeli defence companies will still be allowed to attend the biennial event. But Israel slammed the move taken against officials as “discrimination”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has in recent months suspended arms export licences to Israel for use in Gaza, suspended trade talks with Israel and sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers in protest at the conduct of the war.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” the UK government statement said.
“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,” it added.
Israel’s defence ministry reacted furiously to officials being excluded from the event, which runs 9 to 12 September.
“These restrictions amount to a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination against Israel’s representatives,” it said.
“Accordingly, the Israel ministry of defence will withdraw from the exhibition and will not establish a national pavilion,” it added.
LND/SAE
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