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| UK blocks Israeli government delegation from defence exhibition | UK blocks Israeli government delegation from defence exhibition |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A visitor tries a range of submachine guns at the DSEI 2023 exhibition in London | |
| No Israeli government delegation will be invited to a global defence exhibition in London next month because of the Gaza war, the UK has said. | No Israeli government delegation will be invited to a global defence exhibition in London next month because of the Gaza war, the UK has said. |
| "The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong," a UK government spokesperson said. "As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025." | "The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong," a UK government spokesperson said. "As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025." |
| Israel's defence ministry called the move a "deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination" and said it would be withdrawing and not setting up a national pavilion. | Israel's defence ministry called the move a "deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination" and said it would be withdrawing and not setting up a national pavilion. |
| UK leaders have become more outspoken against Israel's conduct in Gaza, including a recent plan to expand the war and take over Gaza City. | UK leaders have become more outspoken against Israel's conduct in Gaza, including a recent plan to expand the war and take over Gaza City. |
| "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," the UK government spokesperson said in a statement on Friday. | "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," the UK government spokesperson said in a statement on Friday. |
| Individual Israeli defence firms will still be allowed to exhibit at the trade show, which will take place from 9 to 12 September. | Individual Israeli defence firms will still be allowed to exhibit at the trade show, which will take place from 9 to 12 September. |
| DSEI is Britain's flagship defence trade show – taking place every two years in London's Docklands – with hundreds of defence firms from all over the world exhibiting their military hardware and technology. | DSEI is Britain's flagship defence trade show – taking place every two years in London's Docklands – with hundreds of defence firms from all over the world exhibiting their military hardware and technology. |
| It is backed by the government, which also invites foreign officials to attend. | It is backed by the government, which also invites foreign officials to attend. |
| Israel's defence ministry said the UK's decision on this year's event "introduces political considerations wholly inappropriate for a professional defence industry exhibition". | Israel's defence ministry said the UK's decision on this year's event "introduces political considerations wholly inappropriate for a professional defence industry exhibition". |
| But the ministry said Israeli industries that chose to participate would receive its "full support". | But the ministry said Israeli industries that chose to participate would receive its "full support". |
| Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in October 2023 in response to the Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostage back to Gaza. Fifty hostages are still held there, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. | Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in October 2023 in response to the Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostage back to Gaza. Fifty hostages are still held there, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. |
| Israeli military actions in Gaza have since killed 62,966 people, including at least 18,592 children, the Hamas-run health ministry has said. | Israeli military actions in Gaza have since killed 62,966 people, including at least 18,592 children, the Hamas-run health ministry has said. |
| The UN has said Israel has restricted aid, and UN-backed experts have confirmed famine in Gaza City and its surrounding areas, with more than half a million people across Gaza facing conditions including starvation. | The UN has said Israel has restricted aid, and UN-backed experts have confirmed famine in Gaza City and its surrounding areas, with more than half a million people across Gaza facing conditions including starvation. |
| Israel, which controls entry of goods into the territory, has denied this report and defended its military operation as a fight against Hamas. | Israel, which controls entry of goods into the territory, has denied this report and defended its military operation as a fight against Hamas. |
| UK leaders have become increasingly critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza. | UK leaders have become increasingly critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza. |
| In May, the UK suspended talks on a trade deal with Israel, summoned the country's ambassador and imposed fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the military escalation in Gaza "morally unjustifiable". | In May, the UK suspended talks on a trade deal with Israel, summoned the country's ambassador and imposed fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the military escalation in Gaza "morally unjustifiable". |
| In recent months, Lammy said he was appalled and sickened by the plight of civilians in Gaza and called on Israel to allow "unhindered" aid into Gaza. | |
| This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Israeli strikes on a hospital that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, were "completely indefensible". | This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Israeli strikes on a hospital that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, were "completely indefensible". |
| After the Labour Party came to power last year, it suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, but did not include parts for the F-35 jet, which the government said it could not prevent Israel from obtaining as they are sent to manufacturers worldwide. | After the Labour Party came to power last year, it suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, but did not include parts for the F-35 jet, which the government said it could not prevent Israel from obtaining as they are sent to manufacturers worldwide. |
| These jets have been used extensively in Gaza. | These jets have been used extensively in Gaza. |