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."

Three protesters were arrested for assaults on police officers, London's Metropolitan Police said.

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

Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries, both government-owned, were also scheduled to have stands, making Israel the fifth-largest national contingent at the f

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