Fifty-one Israeli weapons manufacturers, alongside US defense giant Lockheed Martin, are set to feature among the 1,600 exhibitors at this week’s DSEI trade show in London’s Docklands. The biennial four-day event opens Tuesday and is expected to draw protests from campaign groups angered by the presence of companies linked to "Israel’s" genocide in Gaza.

Last month, Politico reported that the UK government barred Israeli officials from attending one of the world’s largest defense exhibitions in London, citing growing criticism of "Israel’s" war on Gaza.

"Israel’s" Ministry of Security has traditionally maintained a strong presence at the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, a biennial showcase of military technology and weapons systems. However, a UK government spokesperson confirmed that no official Israeli delegation would be invited this year.

While Israeli arms manufacturers will still be allowed to participate, Whitehall officials acknowledged that their presence is expected to trigger significant protests.

'The UK reached a peak complicity in genocide'

UK Defense Secretary John Healey is scheduled to deliver a keynote address, sharing the stage with senior British military officials. Outside the venue, however, hundreds of demonstrators are preparing to gather in opposition to what they describe as the UK’s complicity in the war.

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) highlighted that "Israel’s" largest arms producers,  Elbit Systems, Rafael, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), will be represented, despite the UK barring an official Israeli government delegation last month.

“This government has reached peak complicity in genocide,” said Emily Apple, CAAT’s media coordinator, accusing ministers of allowing “companies to market their genocide-tested weapons” to global buyers.

Elbit, "Israel’s" biggest private Defense contractor, along with Rafael and IAI, are major suppliers to the Israeli occupation forces, now leading an offensive focused on Gaza City. Promotional materials from IAI boast of “unmatched strategic capabilities and operational superiority,” while the DSEI exhibitor directory lists an Elbit Systems subsidiary based in Sweden.

Large protests expected

Organizers expect between 500 and 1,000 people to join demonstrations outside the Docklands venue as the fair opens on Tuesday. “I’ve never seen this level of interest in anti-arms trade protests,” Apple said.

This year’s DSEI is the first since the beginning of the Israeli genocide, and the event is expected to see heavy policing. In 2023, ten people were arrested during protests, in a policing operation costing nearly £2m and involving more than 100 officers per day.

Though campaigners insist Tuesday’s protests are separate from direct actions organized by Palestine Action, crossover is possible. The banned activist group has repeatedly targeted Elbit Systems facilities in the UK, including one in Bristol that recently closed. Almost 900 people were arrested at a Palestine Action demonstration last weekend.

Lockheed Martin and the F-35 controversy

Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-35 fighter jet, will also be present. The aircraft has been widely used by "Israel" in its aggression on Gaza.

While Britain reportedly suspended most arms exports to "Israel" over humanitarian concerns, ministers maintain that UK firms can continue supplying components for the F-35 program, which involves multiple international partners.

According to CAAT, UK companies have provided £572m worth of spare parts for F-35s used by "Israel" since 2016. BAE Systems alone supplies around 15% of the jet’s total value, including its active interceptor system.

UK launches new defense strategy

The arms fair coincides with the launch of a new UK Defense industrial strategy, part of Labour’s push to expand military investment in response to the war in Ukraine.

Healey is due to set out the policy on Thursday at DSEI. The plan includes a £250m fund for five regional Defense growth deals and £182m to establish five Defense technical excellence colleges.

“Our strategy will make Defense an engine for growth across the UK,” Healey said, pledging to make Britain “the best place in the world to start and grow a Defense firm.”