ARMS dealers arriving at the Farnborough Airshow today were “confronted with the reality of their complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza” by pro-Palestinian protesters.

The “Say No to the Horror Show” protest, organised by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), Greater Rushmoor Action for Peace and East Berkshire Palestine Solidarity Campaign, took place at the week-long Farnborough International Airshow.

Representatives of the defence and weapons industry were in attendance, including Elbit Systems, BAE Systems and Leonardo.

One of the planes marketed at the event is the F-35 combat aircraft, used by Israel to bomb Gaza.

Protesters aimed to highlight their ties to deaths in Gaza as well as conflicts fuelled by the arms trade globally, with signs reading: “Are you funding innovation or destruction?” and “War starts here.”

Local activists also highlighted its impact on the Farnborough community, with schools forced to close early.

Emily Apple of CAAT said: “It is obscene that Farnborough is marketing the exact same aircraft Israel is using in its genocide in Gaza.

“This is an aircraft that is dropping massive bombs on civilians and devastating lives.

“Farnborough is a horror show; a marketplace for death merchants to peddle their horrific wares and profit from war crimes.”

Julia from Greater Rushmoor Action for Peace said: “We’re especially worried about the impact on local school children, noting that some schools need to close early because of the event.

“Speaking as a mum, I worry that children attending the ‘Pioneers of Tomorrow’ day are being influenced to join the arms trade without a clear understanding of what that means.”