In the shadow of threats against retired Israeli generals over war crimes, organizers of one of the world's largest international arms fairs in London tossed out an Israeli company for offering stun guns, leg irons and other "weapons of torture."

The firm, TAR Ideal Concepts, was forced to leave Britain while customs officials considered what action to take against them. The company was in town for the efence Systems and Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, held last week.

"It turned out that we are great criminals because in our catalogue we were offering leg cuffs and stun guns and batons," said company head Tomer Avnon. "And don't forget we were among booths offering everything from sniper rifles to silencers, cluster bombs and all sorts of nasty stuff. It's the height of hypocrisy," Avnon told The Jerusalem Post in a telephone interview.

"It's beyond ridiculous, particularly since we had received permission from the organizers who approved all of our brochures."

He was convinced that the singling out of Israeli firms came from the same anti-Israeli motivations that led to the harassment of retired IDF officers.

"It is as if we are harming human rights. I wouldn't be surprised if it all originated from the same source," Avnon said.

The irony of the whole ordeal, Avnon said, was that there had been enormous interest in his non-lethal weapons.

Officials from DSEI could not be reached for comment.
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