The Hague [Netherlands], October 4: The Dutch Supreme Court on Friday ordered the government to reassess within six weeks a license allowing the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, citing the need to weigh potential risks of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The case was filed by aid groups including Oxfam Novib, which sought to halt Dutch shipments of U.S.-made components after Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023.
A Hague appeals court in February ordered an immediate halt to exports, but the government challenged that decision. The Supreme Court overturned the appeal court's ruling, saying judges cannot independently assess whether there is a "clear risk" of humanitarian law breaches. However, it confirmed the government must conduct the reassessment.
In a statement following the verdict, the government acknowledged the court's order to perform the reassessment and indicated that a resumption of exports is unlikely for now. "Given the current circumstances, it is not reasonable that export of F-35 parts from the Netherlands to Israel will be resumed at this time," it said.
The government also explained that it had appealed the earlier ban because it believes the state must be able to shape its own foreign policy. It added that this legal step was separate from what it called the "catastrophic situation" in Gaza, and reiterated its call for a ceasefire.
Oxfam Novib welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling, saying it effectively maintains the ban that has blocked deliveries since February.
"The mandatory reassessment can only have one outcome, that the export ban remains in place," said Oxfam Novib director Michiel Servaes in a statement. The group pledged to continue pressing the Dutch government to prevent arms supplies to Israel.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
