Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally outside London arms show

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered Tuesday outside a major arms fair in London as it opened without the presence of Israeli government officials because of tension between Britain and Israel over the Gaza conflict.

Police watched as around 300 protesters waved Palestinian flags and held up placards including one reading "UK: Stop arming Israel. Stop the Gaza Genocide".  

The British government excluded the officials from the four-day event, but 51 Israeli defence companies are set to attend, including major arms manufacturer Elbit.

Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries, both government-owned, will also have exhibitions, making Israel the fifth-largest national contingent at the fair at the Excel London exhibition centre.

The Israeli companies "should be investigated for crimes against humanity, not invited to profit from the unspeakable devastation they have caused in Gaza", Campaign Against Arms Trade spokesperson Emily Apple said in a statement.