The UK government announced on Friday that representatives of the Israeli government will not be invited to participate in an upcoming London arms fair, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Britain and Israel over the situation in Gaza. A government spokesperson stated that the decision reflects growing concerns regarding recent developments in the region and the UK\u2019s position on ongoing humanitarian and political issues. The move comes as relations between the two countries face increased scrutiny, drawing attention from international observers and media. \u201cWe can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025\u201d 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 \u201cdiscrimination\u201d. Prime Minister Keir Starmer\u2019s 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. \u201cThe Israeli government\u2019s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,\u201d the UK government statement said. \u201cThere 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,\u201d it added. Israel\u2019s defence ministry reacted furiously to officials being excluded from the event, which runs September 9 to 12. \u201cThese restrictions amount to a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination against Israel\u2019s representatives,\u201d it said. \u201cAccordingly, the Israel ministry of defence will withdraw from the exhibition and will not establish a national pavilion,\u201d it added. \u2013 Protests \u2013 The DSEI UK website said the event \u201cincludes unrivalled access to international governments, ministries of defence, and military officials, alongside all UK front line commands\u201d. The move comes after France in June blocked access to the stands of several Israeli arms manufacturers at the Paris Air show for displaying \u201coffensive weapons\u201d. Demonstrations are planned for the opening of the London fair at the Excel London exhibition centre. A coalition of more than 100 grassroots organisations and activist groups, under the banner \u201cShut DSEI Down\u201d, are set to converge on the venue. \u201cThe coalition includes a large number of pro-Palestine organisations, as well as climate, anti-imperialist and social justice groups,\u201d a spokesperson said this week. Starmer last month announced that Britain will recognise a Palestinian state in September . If Israel does not take steps, including agreeing to a truce in the Gaza war. European Union foreign ministers are to discuss possible new sanctions against Israel and Hamas at a meeting in Copenhagen on Saturday. Sweden and the Netherlands have already called for more action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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