Sadiq Khan has called for the DSEI defence and security exhibition at ExCel London (September 9-12) to be scrapped, arguing the event is inappropriate amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The exhibition draws military buyers and defence contractors from around the world. Khan emphasized that London hosts thousands of asylum seekers and refugees who fled conflicts involving similar weapons and should not serve as a marketplace for arms. Defence industry representatives dismissed the intervention, accusing Khan of posturing and pointing to rising knife crime in the capital. The UK government barred Israeli government officials from attending DSEI while allowing Israeli defence contractors to exhibit.
The Mayor is completely opposed to this event taking place in London and is appalled that the capital is being used as a marketplace for those who wish to trade in weapons. London is home to thousands of people who have fled conflict and suffered as a result of weapons like those exhibited at this event - and he continues to urge organisers to reconsider hosting the fair in the future.
It's just another boring Sadiq intervention on major national issues while he refuses to address concerns in London. While knife crime in London has risen by 54% since he's taken office, he's decided to focus on the people who are working day-in day-out ensuring the lives of Ukrainians and other allies who are under ceaseless attack are protected.
Collection
[
|
...
]