Israeli defence 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 conflict in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports citing confirmation by the organisers.

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

“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 organisation of the fair if they participate.”

He 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,” Huigen added.