Netherlands halts F-35 fighter jet parts export to Israel

Dutch court orders a halt to F-35 parts export to Israel amid concerns of violations in Gaza conflict

On Monday, a Dutch appeals court issued a ruling mandating the government to halt all F-35 fighter jet components exports to Israel. The decision was made due to concerns that these parts were being utilized in activities that violated international law amid Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

The court specified that the government must enforce the order within seven days, rejecting a plea from government attorneys to postpone the implementation pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. The state has a window of eight weeks to contest the ruling.

Israel’s extensive military operations in Gaza, involving both aerial bombardments and ground incursions, have resulted in the deaths of over 28,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gazan health authorities. Additionally, the conflict has led to the displacement of a significant portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants.

The Netherlands hosts one of several regional depots for F-35 parts owned by the U.S. These parts are distributed to countries upon request, including Israel, which has received at least one shipment since Oct. 7.

The Israeli defense ministry declined to comment on the Dutch court’s decision.

In a separate legal development in January, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ top court, ruled that Israel must take measures to prevent acts of genocide in its conflict with Hamas. This verdict reignited calls from human rights organizations to impose bans on weapons exports to Israel.

The case against the Dutch government was initiated by various human rights groups, including the Dutch branch of Oxfam, in December of last year.

Source: Newsroom

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