Protests erupt at London arms fair over hosting Israeli firms supplying Gaza war

At London’s Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI UK) arms fair, booming European defence budgets have drawn major weapons manufacturers, but Israeli firms are facing particular scrutiny. Protesters outside condemned companies such as Elbit, Rafael and IAI, accusing them of testing weapons on Palestinians in Gaza before marketing them as “combat-proven.” Although Britain recently suspended 30 export licences to Israel, it continues to supply parts for F-35 warplanes used in Gaza. The UK government pointedly excluded Israeli officials from the event, yet allowed the firms themselves to attend. Protesters see this as complicity in Gaza’s destruction, as drones and guided munitions showcased in London are deployed on Palestinian civilians. The fair thus highlights the contradiction between Britain’s criticism of Israel’s assault and its arms industry’s ongoing links. Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from London. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #LondonArmsFair #DSEI2025 #IsraeliWeapons #GazaWar #ElbitSystems #IsraelAerospaceIndustries #RafaelWeapons #F35FighterJet #Palestine #GazaGenocide #StopArmingIsrael #Israel #AlJazeeraEnglish