Dutch Court Rejects Requests to Halt Arms Exports to Israel

A court in the Netherlands on Friday, December 15, rejected requests from human rights groups for the government to stop sending parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, which they argue could facilitate "war crimes" in Gaza. The judges of the regional court in The Hague stated that the government should have the freedom to review policies and political issues when making decisions about arms exports. Human rights groups, including Oxfam's branch in the Netherlands, argued that Israel uses F-35 aircraft in its extensive bombing of Gaza, which may constitute "war crimes," and that the Netherlands supplies spare parts for these jets. In the first ruling issued regarding arms shipments to Israel by a court, Dutch judges noted that F-35s might play a role in alleged violations of the laws of war. Israel denies committing "war crimes" in its attacks on Gaza, which occurred after Hamas's initial attack on southern Israel on October 6. Hamas, supported by the Islamic Republic, is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States. Lizbeth Zegold, a lawyer for the human rights groups, told Reuters, "The government's claim that no violations have occurred in Gaza, or that they cannot investigate this matter, has been removed from the options, and this is a success for us; proving that F-35s were used in the war is very important." She added that they would appeal the court's decision. The Netherlands has one of the few warehouses for U.S. F-35 parts and sends them to countries that request them, including Israel, which reportedly received at least one shipment since the conflict with Hamas began. The judges stated that despite the possibility that F-35s may have played a role in potential "war crimes," under arms export laws, they could only decide whether the government had made a reasonable assessment to continue sending parts. Since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have devastated large parts of Gaza, which according to Palestinian health officials, has claimed nearly 19,000 lives and buried thousands under rubble. Meanwhile, Israeli police are investigating the potential commission of sexual crimes by several Hamas members who were arrested following Hamas's October 6 attack on southern Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Justice has stated that "victims were tortured, physically abused, raped, mutilated, and burned alive." Hamas denies allegations of sexual assault or mutilation of women by its armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, during or after the attack. The establishment of a multinational force and the construction of an underground barrier are potential plans by Israeli security agencies for managing Gaza after the war. The U.S. stated that an early ceasefire at this time would mean the survival of Hamas and a repetition of similar attacks on Israel as on October 6. The U.S. expects Israel to use received weapons in accordance with international laws of war. Israeli fighter jets attacked several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The UN Human Rights Commissioner called for an investigation into the discovery of Hamas weapons in Shifa Hospital.