Israeli defense firms will not be permitted to take part in a prominent defense exhibition in the Netherlands this November, according to industry executives who spoke with Defense News.
The exclusion from the event, known as NEDS, follows Dutch government statements that no military exports to Israel have been approved under general licenses since the outbreak of the Israel–Gaza conflict.
In a related development, a Dutch court ruled in 2024 that the government must halt the shipment of F-35 spare parts to Israel, citing concerns they might contribute to violations of international law.
Notably, the planned Israeli participation was not organized through an official delegation from Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Both the Israeli Defense and Foreign Ministries indicated that the issue is still being reviewed. The Dutch Defense Ministry and NEDS organizers declined to provide comment at the time of reporting.
Despite this restriction, the Netherlands has recently signed defense deals with Israeli companies. In September 2024, it finalized a contract worth around €250 million with Rafael for SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missiles, including thousands of units. Earlier, in May 2023, Elbit Systems supplied the Netherlands with PULS rocket launchers, missiles, and training support.
This latest ban marks the second instance of a European defense show imposing limitations on Israeli companies during the Gaza war. At the Paris Air Show in June 2023, Israeli exhibits were concealed behind black panels after organizers prohibited displays of what they described as “offensive weapons.”
