Disarm DSEi (London)

➡️ DISARM DSEi, LONDON – Stop the World's Largest Arms Fair

Disarm DSEi is a movement supported by Stop the Arms Fair, CAAT, Disarm Education, and Shut the System to bring attention to the ethical and humanitarian issues associated with the arms trade, and in particular the UK's complicity in the Gaza genocide.

The 2025 DSEI took place 9 - 12 September at the Excel in London and attracted renewed attention amid Israel's continued onslaught on Gaza. Thousands protested the event, blocking the main entrance and chanting 'free Palestine'.

More than 50 Israeli arms firms joined the 1,600 exhibitors, which included Lockheed Martin, the main contractor of the F-35 fighter jets currently being used by Israel in the war on Gaza.

Despite claims by the UK government that it is doing everything it can to hold the Israeli government to account, by allowing these companies to exhibit at DSEi, they have deepened their complicity in the genocide in the name of profit and greed.

Jump straight to our resources on ➡️ Disarm DSEi

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• The War on Gaza

• The Global Arms Trade - Britain & Israel's Role

• Weapons for Israel's War on Gaza

• The BDS Movement

• The UK-Israel Lobby

• ICJ Genocide Case

The Disarm DSEi movement highlights the serious human cost of the arms trade and advocates for greater transparency and accountability in defence transactions in the UK and beyond.

They argue that the event promotes weapons proliferation and contributes to greater global instability and conflict. They also express deep concerns about the ethical implications of arms sales to countries with questionable human rights records and those involved in ongoing conflicts.

The protests against DSEI follow the recent arrest of nearly 900 supporters of Palestine Action, the banned UK-based pro-Palestine group, during a demonstration at London's Parliament Square.

What is the DSEi?

The Defence and Security Equipment International arms fair is a biennial event which has been held in the UK since 2001. It is considered the largest arms fair in the world.

Labelled London's festival for the arms industry, it serves as a global platform for government officials, military representatives, and defence contractors to come together to showcase and purchase the latest in defence and security technologies.

For sale are high-tech drones and missiles, which provide a moral distance from the reality of warfare. In gleaming demonstration rooms, private contractors proudly tout their improved lethality and accuracy.

The 5% defence spending hike by Donald Trump and NATO at the recent Hague meeting supersized spending. In an era experiencing the highest number of armed conflicts since 1945 (the end of WWII) and where conflict-related deaths are at the highest for three decades, this fair of death is selling violence disguised as safety.

Understandably, the event draws huge attention from anti-war activists, human rights defenders, social justice advocates, peace organisations, and anyone with a conscience. The last event in September 2023 was policed by more than 100 officers at a cost of £2 million, paid for by the British taxpayer.

By continuing to facilitate the military-industrial complex, the UK government is breaking its international obligations to prevent genocide, war crimes, and uphold international law. This blatant disregard of the moral responsibilities of both governments and corporations involved in defence sales must not go ignored.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 11.09.25 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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