At the upcoming DSEI trade show in London, Israeli arms manufacturers, including Elbit Systems, Rafael, and IAI, plan to exhibit amid widespread protests and government debates over ethical concerns and ongoing conflict in Gaza, highlighting tensions between defence interests and human rights.
Fifty-one Israeli arms manufacturers, including Israel’s largest private defence contractor Elbit Systems and key state-owned firms Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), will be among the 1,600 exhibitors at the upcoming Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) trade show in London’s Docklands. The biennial event, commencing on Tuesday, has become a focal point for controversy and is expected to draw hundreds of protesters, particularly given the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has sharply criticised the British government for permitting these companies to participate, accusing it of reaching a “peak complicity in genocide” by allowing the marketing of “genocide-tested weapons” to an international audience.
While the UK government has barred an official Israeli government delegation from attending the event in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, representatives from Israeli defence contractors are still permitted to exhibit. This distinction follows government concerns over humanitarian issues but stops short of excluding key industry players. According to reports, the Israeli Ministry of Defence has withdrawn its national pavilion and condemned the UK’s decision as politically motivated, saying it “serves extremists” and falls outside the accepted norms of international defence exhibitions. Despite this, Israeli companies attending the fair will continue to receive strong support from their government.
The DSEI trade show is expected to be heavily policed, with security measures reflecting heightened tensions following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel in October 2023. Last year’s event saw significant police operations, including more than 100 officers daily and nearly £2 million spent on security, culminating in ten arrests. This year’s protests could be larger, with organisers anticipating between 500 and 1,000 demonstrators. CAAT highlighted unprecedented interest in anti-arms trade activism, with many protesters likely to focus on Israeli arms companies amid the escalating violence in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands remain under bombardment.
Another point of contention is the presence of Lockheed Martin, the US defence giant behind the F-35 fighter jets used by the Israeli military. Although the UK has suspended most arms exports to Israel due to humanitarian concerns, it continues to allow British firms to supply components for the F-35 programme on the grounds that the jets are part of a global programme involving multiple countries, including the UK. CAAT estimates that since 2016, UK companies have supplied around £572 million worth of spare parts for F-35s operated by Israel, with firms such as BAE Systems contributing critical systems. These jets, also operated by the Royal Air Force, have been part of the controversial bombardment campaigns in Gaza.
Parallel to the trade show, the UK Ministry of Defence is set to launch a new defence industrial strategy. Defence Secretary John Healey will deliver a keynote address during the event, emphasising the government’s intent to make defence a critical driver of economic growth and innovation across the UK. The strategy includes a £250 million fund for five defence growth deals aimed at fostering collaboration between industry, government, and academia nationwide, complemented by an additional £182 million for new defence technical colleges. This initiative aligns with the Conservative government’s plans to increase military spending in response to global security concerns, especially regarding Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The DSEI event encapsulates the persistent dilemma faced by governments balancing arms trade, economic interests, ethical concerns, and geopolitical alliances. The participation of Israeli firms amid ongoing conflict, the UK’s differentiated policy on government officials versus corporate exhibitors, and the substantial defence investment plans underscore the complex interplay between diplomacy, defence commerce, and public dissent in today’s highly charged political environment.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, published on 8 September 2025, and pertains to the upcoming DSEI trade show starting on 9 September 2025. The UK government’s recent decision to bar Israeli officials from the event is a recent development, with reports from late August 2025. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/uk-blocks-israeli-officials-its-biggest-defence-show-2025-08-29/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and the UK government are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found online. The CAAT’s statement about the UK government’s ‘peak complicity in genocide’ is a recent and specific remark.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable UK-based news organisation known for its investigative journalism and comprehensive coverage of international affairs. The Guardian’s reporting on the DSEI trade show and related protests is consistent with other reputable outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the participation of 51 Israeli arms manufacturers at the DSEI trade show are corroborated by multiple sources, including The Guardian and Defence News. The UK government’s decision to bar Israeli officials from the event aligns with recent diplomatic tensions over the Gaza conflict. ([defensenews.com](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/08/29/israeli-defense-ministry-withdraws-from-major-uk-arms-exhibition/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, originates from a reputable source, and presents information consistent with other reputable outlets. The direct quotes are unique to this report, and the claims are corroborated by multiple sources. There are no indications of recycled content, unverifiable entities, or disinformation.