The UK government has banned Israeli officials from attending the DSEI arms fair in London next month due to Israel’s escalation of military operations in Gaza. A spokesperson criticized Israel’s actions, stating that Israeli delegations would not be invited. Israel condemned the decision, labeling it as discrimination and expressing concern that political considerations were influencing defense exhibitions.
This ban is part of broader UK efforts to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ease military actions in Gaza and pursue a ceasefire with Hamas. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly, contingent upon Israel addressing humanitarian issues in Gaza.
While Israeli government officials are excluded, civilian military companies from Israel may still attend the exhibition. Despite diplomatic pressure, European countries continue to purchase arms from Israel, with the Israeli arms industry flourishing, with exports reaching a record high of $13 billion in 2023. This uptick in arms sales is occurring amidst growing global military spending due to various conflicts worldwide.
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