Fresh updates from Europe reveal that an appeals court in the Netherlands has made a decisive ruling, ordering the cessation of the Dutch government’s export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel.
This ruling comes in response to a case filed against the Dutch government by various human rights organizations, including the Dutch branch of Oxfam, last December.
The plaintiffs argued that the transit of F-35 parts through the Netherlands violates the laws of war, as the Dutch government is aware that these fighter planes are deployed in attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The US-owned parts are stored in a regional warehouse in Woensdrecht and subsequently shipped to multiple countries, including Israel.
Previously, a district court had deemed the export primarily a political decision, asserting that judges should refrain from interference.
However, this morning, the appeals court delivered a different verdict, stating in its judgment: “It is indisputable that there is a clear risk that the exported F-35 parts are used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.”