Hey tech fam! Big news from London—Britain has decided to bar Israeli government officials from its flagship defense trade show, DSEI 2025, held every two years at the ExCeL centre. 😮
- Why the ban? Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government warned in July it would recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel eased the suffering in Gaza. After Israel ramped up its military operation, the UK pulled the invite for any official delegation. ✋
- Israel’s move: In protest, Israel’s Ministry of Defense won’t run its national pavilion this year—though private players like Elbit Systems, Rafael, IAI and Uvision can still attend. 🇮🇱🏢
- Déjà vu in Paris: Remember the drama at the Paris Air Show? France covered up Israeli booths over displayed attack weapons. London’s version excludes officials, not the companies themselves. 🇫🇷⚠️
- UK stance: A government spokesperson called Israel’s Gaza escalation “wrong,” urging an immediate ceasefire, hostage releases and a surge of humanitarian aid. 🤝💡
- Israel’s reaction: Describing the ban as a “regrettable act of discrimination,” Israel says politics shouldn’t interfere with a professional defense expo. 🎯🔒
With DSEI 2025 kicking off on September 9, all eyes are on whether other nations follow suit. Stay tuned for the latest updates in defense tech and global affairs! 🔍✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
