Dutch court halts F-35 fighter jet parts export to Israel amid ongoing genocide in Gaza

Amsterdam (Quds News Network) – In a landmark decision, a Dutch appeals court has ordered the government to cease the delivery of parts for F-35 fighter jets to the Israeli occupation, asserting that there is a “clear risk” the exported components are being used in “serious violations of international humanitarian law” by Israel in its ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The verdict, delivered on Monday, rejected the Dutch state’s argument that it didn’t need to conduct a new check on the permit for the exports. The court expressed concern that the F-35s were likely being employed by Israel in attacks on Gaza, leading to unacceptable civilian casualties.

The ruling followed an appeal by Amnesty International and Oxfam against a lower court decision from last year, which had dismissed their argument that supplying the parts contributed to violations of humanitarian law by Israel in Gaza.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have accused the Dutch government of being complicit in war crimes by facilitating the deliveries of fighter jet parts. The appeals court disputed the previous ruling, emphasizing that political and economic considerations did not outweigh the clear risk of violations of the laws of war.

Judge Bas Boele, delivering the verdict, stated, “It is undeniable that there is a clear risk that the exported F-35 parts are used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.” The decision was met with cheers from several individuals in the courtroom.

The court has given the Dutch government seven days to block all exports of fighter jet parts to Israel. The ruling is a significant step in addressing concerns over the role of arms exports in contributing to violations of international law during the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza.