Dutch court allows Netherlands to supply F-35 parts to Israel, rejects petition

A Dutch court dismissed a case filed by human rights organisations, permitting the Netherlands to continue supplying parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

The court ruled that interference in such deliveries was primarily a political decision, indicating it was beyond the judiciary's jurisdiction.

"The considerations that the minister makes are to a large extent of a political and policy nature and judges should leave the minister a large amount of freedom," the court stated.

The plaintiffs, including Amnesty International's local branch, contended that providing these parts facilitated alleged international law violations by Israel during its conflict with Palestine, reported AFP.

Michiel Servaes, director of Oxfam Novib and one of the plaintiffs, emphasised that these components "make it possible for real bombs to be dropped on real houses and on real families."

The F-35 parts, owned by the US, are stored in a Dutch warehouse and subsequently shipped to various partners, including Israel, under existing export agreements.

Dutch authorities expressed uncertainty regarding their power to intervene in these deliveries, which are part of a US-led operation supplying parts to all F-35 partners. The government highlighted that, based on current information, they couldn't confirm the involvement of Israeli F-35s in serious violations of humanitarian laws.

However, human rights lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld rejected this claim, asserting the Dutch government's familiarity with the extensive infrastructure destruction and civilian casualties in Gaza.

Government lawyers argued that if the Netherlands ceased supplying these parts, Israel could easily acquire them elsewhere.

The judge ruled that the government wasn't obligated to reevaluate the permit issued in 2016 for transporting F-35 parts amidst the ongoing conflict. The court also criticised the plaintiffs for not explicitly stating the unlawful actions of the state.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine, now in its third month, has resulted in significant casualties, with both parties facing allegations of human rights violations by international law experts.