Around 300 protesters gathered outside the Excel London exhibition Center, waving Palestinian flags and carrying placards such as “UK: Stop arming Israel. Stop the Gaza Genocide.”
The rally coincided with the opening of the four-day arms fair, which Israeli regime’s officials were barred from attending due to strains between London and Tel Aviv over the Gaza genocidal war.
Despite the diplomatic snub, 51 Israeli weapons firms are taking part, including notorious arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. State-owned Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries are also exhibiting, making the occupying regime the fifth-largest national delegation at the fair.
“These companies should be investigated for crimes against humanity, not invited to profit from the devastation they have unleashed on Gaza,” said Emily Apple of Campaign Against Arms Trade.
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog is scheduled to arrive in London on Tuesday for a three-day official visit, even as the regime’s military continues its relentless campaign in Gaza.
The war’s toll has now reached 64,605 Palestinians killed and 163,319 wounded since the assault began. At least 2,444 civilians seeking aid have been killed and 17,831 injured, including 14 killed and 37 wounded in the past 24 hours alone.
Since breaking the ceasefire on March 18, Israeli forces have slaughtered at least 12,059 people and wounded 51,278 more in Gaza, deepening what rights groups call a genocide carried out with Western complicity.