Human rights lawyers appealed to the Dutch court on Monday to stop the export to Israel of fighter jet parts that could be used in attacks on the Gaza Strip, AP News reported.
The organisations claim that the supply of spare parts for F-35 aircraft makes the Netherlands complicit in alleged war crimes committed by Israel in its war against Hamas. The lawyers are requesting that the Hague District Court issue an injunction prohibiting the export of the parts stored in a warehouse located in the town of Woensdrecht.
The state must immediately stop the delivery of F-35 parts to Israel.
Citing government documents, lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld reported that Dutch customs asked the government if it wanted to continue exports after the October 7 Hamas attacks that triggered military conflict in the Middle East.
“The warning that the fighter jets can contribute to serious breaches of the laws of war does not, for the [Dutch] state, outweigh its economic interests and diplomatic reputation.”
Government lawyer Reimer Veldhuis called on the single judge to reject the injunction, arguing that even if he upheld human rights activists’ legal arguments and banned the exports, “the United States would deliver these parts to Israel from another place.” He also stressed that Israel has the right to self-defence.
Israel must be able to respond to threats from the region. That must, of course, happen within the framework of international law.
The decision on the F-35 fighter jet parts is expected within two weeks and can be appealed.
