Dutch Court Rejects Human Rights Groups' Claim on F-35 Parts to Israel

A Dutch court has rejected a claim by human rights organizations alleging the Netherlands is circumventing a ban on exporting F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. The court stated that the groups had not provided sufficient evidence that the Dutch government was ignoring a previous ruling. The case will continue in the Supreme Court in September.

A Dutch court on Friday dismissed a claim by human rights organizations alleging that the Netherlands is evading a court order to halt the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, which could be used in Gaza.

The Hague District Court determined that Oxfam Novib, Pax Nederland, and The Rights Forum had not proven that the Dutch government was flouting the previous ruling. In February, an appeals court had directed the Dutch government to stop the exports due to potential violations of international law if the parts were used in Gaza attacks. The government complied in the interim but has appealed to the Supreme Court.

The aid groups argued that the Netherlands was bypassing the ban by exporting the parts to the United States, which then sent them to Israel, demanding penalties for this alleged infraction. The organizations voiced their disagreement with the ruling and are contemplating further legal actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)