Judgment in The Hague
Court stops arms exports to Israel
Several human rights groups that had taken legal action in the Netherlands against arms exports to Israel have now won a partial victory: An appeals court banned the export of parts for the F-35 fighter jet on Monday, basing its decision on concerns that the fighter jets equipped with it could be used in the Gaza war in violation of international law.
"It is undeniable that there is a clear risk that the exported F-35 parts will be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law," the ruling stated. The government must comply with the order within seven days. The court rejected an application by the government to suspend enforcement of the export ban during an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Netherlands: "F-35 crucial for Israel's security"
"The delivery of US F-35 parts to Israel is not unjustified", countered Trade Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen. The F-35s are crucial for Israel's security and its ability to protect itself from threats in the region, "for example from Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon".
The lawsuit against the Dutch government was filed in December 2023 by several human rights groups, including the Dutch subsidiary of the aid organization Oxfam. The Netherlands is home to one of several regional warehouses for US-owned F-35 parts. From there, they are distributed to countries that request them, including Israel in at least one delivery since the attack on Israel by the radical Islamic Hamas on October 7.
In another legal case, the International Court of Justice, the highest court of the United Nations, ordered Israel in January to take measures to prevent genocide in the war against Hamas. The ruling prompted human rights groups to renew their calls for a ban on arms exports to Israel. According to reports, similar lawsuits against arms exports are being prepared in other countries as in the Netherlands.
EU chief diplomat questions arms deliveries in general
Meanwhile, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, questioned arms deliveries to Israel. "If the international community is of the opinion that this is a massacre, that too many people are being killed, then perhaps we need to think about providing weapons," said the former Spanish foreign minister.
At the same time, Borrell criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to protect civilians. "Everyone goes to Tel Aviv and begs not to do that, to spare civilians, not to kill so many people," said the EU's chief diplomat, visibly annoyed. "How many is too many? What is the yardstick? Netanyahu no longer listens to anyone." Netanyahu had announced an evacuation of Rafah. "To where? To the moon? Where do they want to take these people to safety?" asked Borrell.
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