Smart City Expo has confirmed there will be no official Israeli presence at this year’s Barcelona technology showcase.
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The decision comes less than two weeks before the event opens at the Gran Via venue in L’Hospitalet, following months of political pressure and public debate about Israel’s participation in international events hosted by the city.
Fira de Barcelona, the consortium managing the exhibition centre, has explicitly stated that neither the Israeli national pavilion nor the eight companies it typically hosts will participate. The Israel Export Institute, which previously organised a 200-square-metre stand, has opted not to attend following discussions with event organisers.
Smart City Expo Implements Strict Participation Criteria
However, one Israeli company, Aiola, will participate independently. Fira sources confirm the firm doesn’t appear on the UN High Commissioner’s list of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements and maintains no formal ties with the Israeli state. Furthermore, the consortium has banned French company Egis from participating because it does feature on the UN list.
This development follows Barcelona City Council’s September vote to exclude companies linked to Israel from municipal events. The council specifically targeted Fira de Barcelona exhibitions and the 2026 Tour de France departure from the city. Consequently, the current political climate has significantly influenced event participation decisions.
Smart City Expo, running from November 4-6, expects to attract 25,000 attendees this year. The event focuses on urban technologies addressing housing, public services, governance, logistics, mobility, and data management. Meanwhile, attention now turns to the Mobile World Congress in March 2026, where Israel’s participation remains uncertain.
The controversy extends beyond trade fairs to sporting events. Tour de France organisers recently assured Mayor Jaume Collboni that no team would compete under an Israeli flag during next year’s Barcelona departure. This follows protests during La Vuelta that disrupted the final stage in Madrid.
Barcelona’s municipal government has increasingly positioned itself in support of Palestine, recently creating the ‘District 11 – Palestinian Cities’ initiative to highlight cooperation projects with Gaza, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. Therefore, the exclusion of the Israeli pavilion from Smart City Expo represents another step in the city’s evolving international stance.
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