Protests Erupt in London Over Israeli Presence at Arms Fair Amid International Boycotts
Demonstrations erupted outside London's Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair on Tuesday, protesting against the participation of more than 50 Israeli arms firms, including government-owned Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries, amid ongoing tension between Britain and Israel over the conflict in Gaza.
Background
The arms fair, held at the Excel London exhibition center, hosts around 1,600 exhibitors from across the globe. Despite the exclusion of Israeli government officials by the British government due to the Gaza conflict, 51 Israeli defense companies, including major arms manufacturer Elbit, attended the event. This made Israel the fifth-largest national contingent at the fair. Protesters held placards reading UK: Stop arming Israel. Stop the Gaza Genocide,
expressing their condemnation of the UK's involvement in the conflict.
Global Actions Against Israel
In parallel to the London protests, over 1,300 internationally renowned actors, directors, and film professionals, including Hollywood stars Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, pledged not to work with Israeli film institutions implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people. The pledge, organized by the advocacy group Film Workers for Palestine, mirrors the actions of Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused to screen their films in apartheid South Africa.
Meanwhile, Spain announced a series of measures to halt the genocide in Gaza, including an arms embargo on Israel, closing airspace to all aircraft carrying weapons or ammunition to Israel, and a ban on vessels carrying fuel for the Israeli army from using Spanish ports. This move was followed by Madrid's plan to ban all weapons deals with every private or public Israeli organization.
Contrasting Views
Despite these international actions, the UK government has not concluded that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide, according to a government letter. David Lammy, Britain's foreign minister, stated that the government had carefully considered the risk of genocide but concluded that it did not meet the criteria set by the Genocide Convention.
By contrast, France saw a significant increase in arms exports to Israel in 2024, reaching their highest level in eight years, amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza. This raises questions about the diverging narratives and actions among European countries towards the conflict.
Current Status
While the arms fair continues, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has voiced opposition to the capital hosting the event, citing the ongoing military assault on Gaza. The mayor's stance, coupled with the international actions against Israel, illustrates the increasing global concern about the conflict in Gaza and its implications for international relations.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, investigations reveal that the majority of Palestinians held without charge or trial in Israeli jails are civilians, further fueling the international outcry against Israel's actions.
The situation remains dynamic, with governments, institutions, and individuals around the world taking various stances and actions in response to the ongoing conflict.