AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – In a recent ruling, a Dutch appeals court has ordered the government to cease the shipment of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel due to concerns over the Israeli military’s ongoing operations in the Gaza Strip.
The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Dutch affiliate of the humanitarian group Oxfam and two other nongovernmental human rights organizations. The court expressed apprehension that the F-35 fighter jets supplied to Israel might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Oxfam welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant step in holding the Dutch government accountable to international law, especially in the context of the civilian population in Gaza.
While Israel maintains that its actions in Gaza are aimed at combating Hamas and securing the release of hostages after an attack by the Palestinian militant group, the court highlighted the high number of civilian casualties, including thousands of children, resulting from Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
The Dutch government has been given seven days to enforce the court’s decision and has the option to appeal within eight weeks. Despite expressing an intention to implement the ruling, the government has indicated that it will also pursue an appeal to the Dutch Supreme Court, arguing that the distribution of American F-35 parts is not unlawful.
The decision has sparked implications for the Israel division of Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, as it evaluates the potential impact on its supply chain.
In a related development, the United Kingdom is also facing a similar lawsuit, brought by two human rights groups seeking to prevent weapons exports to Israel.
The ruling was announced while Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was in Israel for discussions with Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders on the ongoing conflict in the region.
The decision coincided with a night of airstrikes by Israel in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a significant number of casualties, according to health officials in the territory. The Israeli military has reported the rescue of two hostages in Gaza.
Overall, the ruling reflects increasing international scrutiny of arms exports to Israel in the context of the conflict with Gaza. The decision is expected to have broader implications for the arms industry and foreign policy considerations in the Netherlands and beyond.