The hague: The Dutch Supreme Court ordered today the government to review its policies on weapons exports to Israel, but the court did not uphold a ban on the export of parts for F-35 fighter jets ordered by a lower court last year.
According to Qatar News Agency, the court emphasized the necessity for the government to evaluate the potential risks of the jet parts being used in a manner that violates international law. The Supreme Court’s decision mandates the government to conduct this review within six weeks. During this period, the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel remains banned.
The statement from the court clarified, “As long as the minister does not make a new decision on the export license, the current license remains valid and export of F-35 parts to Israel is not allowed.”
This ruling follows a decision made in February 2024 by the Court of Appeal in The Hague, which ordered the government to stop the export of jet parts. The Court of Appeal had determined there was a significant risk that Israel’s F-35 fighter jets could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip.