No Israeli companies at November's Dubai Airshow, organisers confirm

Six defence contractors will not be involved in 'fantastic group of showcases'

The Frecce Tricolori team during the flying display at the 2023 Dubai Airshow at DWC in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Israeli companies will not be participating at the Dubai Airshow in November, the event organisers said on Tuesday.

Six Israeli defence companies were initially registered for the biennial event, Timothy Hawes, managing director of Informa Markets, which organises the Dubai Airshow, told The National at a news conference.

"Israeli companies won't be participating as part of the exhibition," Mr Hawes said.

This follows a review by the airshow's technical committee, which assesses all companies participating in the event and made the decision, he added.

The comments confirm the UAE's position after foreign media reports last month.

The move comes after an attack by Israel on Qatar in September and its continuing offensive in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023. Israel's strike on Doha in September killed five Hamas officials and a Qatari security officer.

Israel launched an air strike on a building in the Qatari capital on September 9, saying it was aimed at Hamas leaders inside. The attack caused outrage across the region and apparent unease for US President Donald Trump, who has since sought to offer reassurances to Qatar, a US ally and host of the region's largest American airbase.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised to Doha and said Israel will not carry out attacks on the Gulf state again, despite vowing to pursue Hamas “wherever they are”.

Israel made its debut at the Dubai Airshow in November 2023, shortly after the start of the Gaza war.

The Dubai Airshow organisers said that the defence sector comprises 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the participation at the expo.

"We have 98 countries represented from around the world and a fantastic group of defence showcases on display," Mr Hawes said. "We have 20 other country pavilions that will have displays, whether it's commercial, defence or other areas."

One of the world's largest aerospace expos, the Dubai Airshow will take place from November 17 to 21 at the emirate's second hub, Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as DWC.