London Mayor opposes hosting arms fair during Gaza War after UK bans Israeli officials

Sadiq Khan

Haaretz and Reuters report on 3 September 2025:

London Mayor Sadiq Khan opposes the British capital being used to host an international arms fair, citing Israel’s military operation in Gaza, The Guardian reported, quoting a spokesperson for the mayor.

“London is home to thousands of people who have fled conflict and suffered as a result of weapons like those exhibited at this event,” Khan said. His spokesperson added that the event was “inappropriate given Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza.”

It follows an announcement by the U.K. last week that barred Israeli government officials from attending the arms fair over growing concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The decision does not cover representatives of Israeli defense contractors, who will be allowed to attend the DSEI UK exhibition, scheduled for next week in London. The event is formerly known as Defense and Security Equipment International.  Israeli defence companies, such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI and Uvision, will still be able to attend.

“The Israeli Government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” the British government said on Friday. “As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025.”

Israel’s Defense Ministry said the decision was based on politics and “serves extremists,” adding it would withdraw from the exhibition and would not establish a national pavilion.

The ministry said that the restrictions “amount to a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination against Israel’s representatives.”

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