DSEI

Declassified barred from London arms fair as Israeli weapons dealers arrive

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https://www.declassifieduk.org/declassified-barred-from-london-arms-fair-as-israeli-weapons-dealers-arrive

A mock sign greets delegates arriving at DSEI. (Photo: Vuk Valcic / Alamy)

Press freedom groups condemn organiser’s last minute decision to deny Declassified entry.

A major arms fair has been criticised by press freedom groups for refusing to let Declassified enter the event, which is being held for the first time since Labour took power.

The biennial Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) trade show is hosting over 50 Israeli companies this week at London’s sprawling ExCel Centre, despite cancelling plans for an Israeli government pavilion.

Exhibitors include Rafael, a missile manufacturer wholly owned by the Israeli state, and private weapons firm Elbit, which supplies 85% of drones used in Gaza.

It marks the first time Declassified has been denied media accreditation, having attended the last two DSEI events.

Those took place under Conservative governments in 2023 and 2021, when we questioned defence ministers about arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Reporters Without Borders said the decision to block Declassified this year was “worrying”, “anti-democratic” and “suggests there is something to hide.”

When Declassified was allowed to enter DSEI in 2021, event spokesman General Roddy Porter claimed: “We’ve got nothing to hide here. This is a legitimate government transactional business.”

DSEI is organised by the company Clarion Events but relies on close cooperation from the UK’s Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office and trade department.

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Article continues at https://www.declassifieduk.org/declassified-barred-from-london-arms-fair-as-israeli-weapons-dealers-arrive

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Peace campaigners protest against DSEI arms fair in London

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/peace-campaigners-protest-against-dsei-arms-fair-in-london

Campaigners block the road in East London outside the DSEI arms fair Photo: @CAATuk / Twitter
Campaigners block the road in East London outside the DSEI arms fair Photo: @CAATuk / Twitter

HUNDREDS of peace campaigners gathered outside of London’s ExCel centre today to tell arms dealers and the world’s worst human rights abusing nations that they are not welcome.

It came as UK Defence and Security Exports published the list of countries invited to Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI).

Eight of the nations are on the British government’s own list of countries of concern, such as Saudi Arabia.

Protests, co-ordinated by the Stop The Arms Fair (Staf), have been targeting the event since it began preparations last week, leading to at least 12 arrests.

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/peace-campaigners-protest-against-dsei-arms-fair-in-london

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Activists launch ‘Stop the Arms Fair’ campaign ahead of DSEI arms trade event

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Stop the Arms Fair protest against Defence & Security Exports International (DSEI) fair London 2023.
Stop the Arms Fair protest against Defence & Security Exports International (DSEI) fair London 2023.

https://leftfootforward.org/2023/09/activists-launch-stop-the-arms-fair-campaign-ahead-of-dsei-arms-trade-event/

“Representatives from regimes such as Saudi Arabia, who have used UK-made weapons to commit war crimes in Yemen, will be wined and dined and encouraged to buy yet more arms.”

The biannual Defence & Security Exports International (DSEI) fair is taking place on September 12 – 15 in London. The event is one of the largest arms fairs in the world. It is attended by delegates from across the globe, including from some of the most oppressive regimes. This year’s fair will see over 2,800 manufacturers display their arms.

Ahead of the event, a group of activists are launching a campaign protesting the arms trade and the manufacturers showcasing their products at the trade show. They are campaigning under a ‘Stop the Arms Fair’ (STAF) banner. STAF formed in 2011 with the aim of putting a stop to arms fairs in the UK, particularly DSEI.

Every two years, DSEI brings thousands of arms buyers from over 100 countries worldwide together to network and make deals. The high-profile event connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the entire defence and security supply chain on a global scale. The anti-arms trade activists say DSEI is an important event for the UK state, which ‘heavily subsidises and promotes the arms industry, and helps organise the arms fair.’

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https://leftfootforward.org/2023/09/activists-launch-stop-the-arms-fair-campaign-ahead-of-dsei-arms-trade-event/

Continue ReadingActivists launch ‘Stop the Arms Fair’ campaign ahead of DSEI arms trade event