Dutch Arms Fair Rejects Israeli Defense Companies’ Participation 

August 21, 2025 News
Hans Huigen, the director of the event's organizer Netherlands Industry for Defense and Security Foundation.m (Photo: video grab)

Four Israeli firms had applied for booth space but were all rejected, with concerns over “social unrest” about the ongoing assault on Gaza cited.

Israeli defense companies will not be allowed to participate in this year’s NEDS arms fair in Rotterdam due to concerns over security and social unrest linked to the ongoing military assault on Gaza, organizers confirmed on Thursday.

Hans Huigen, the director of the event’s organizer Netherlands Industry for Defense and Security Foundation, told the public broadcaster NOS that four Israeli firms had applied for booth space but were all rejected, the Anadolu news agency reported.

“The current situation in Gaza has deteriorated to such an extent that social unrest is growing worldwide, in Europe, and in the Netherlands,” Huigen said. “We have told them that we are concerned about the safe organization of the fair if they participate.”

Pressure on EU

Huigen stressed that the decision was not based on opposition to Israel as such but on safety concerns.

“It’s not up to us to have an opinion on that, but we do listen and pay attention to what’s going on in society and politics on this issue,” he added.

The move comes against the backdrop of the Dutch government’s push within the EU to suspend parts of its association agreement with Israel.

EU Leaders ‘Complicit’ in Gaza Genocide, Says Josep Borrell – Urges Israel Sanctions

Huigen noted that allowing Israeli firms to exhibit while the government advocates sanctions would create contradictions.

Israeli companies have regularly taken part in the Ahoy Rotterdam fair in recent years, but their presence has repeatedly sparked protests.

Previous Demonstrations

Last year, demonstrations escalated into clashes with police, broken windows, and arrests.

Huigen recalled that organizers had to “scale up security enormously” in 2024, and said the risk of greater unrest was even higher this year.

The Netherlands Industry for Defense and Security Foundation also emphasized that the decision was taken independently and not at the request of the Dutch government, though authorities were informed.

Staggering Death Toll

Since reneging on the ceasefire on March 18, Israel has continued its bloody aerial bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands of Palestinians.

Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 62,000 Palestinians, with more than 157,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.

ICC, ICJ Cases

In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Israeli Minister Strook Vows to Continue War, ‘Even If It Kills Hostages’

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.

(Anadolu, PC)

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