Judges to hear case against Dutch state over Israeli jet parts shipments
The Netherlands faces a legal challenge over accusations that its role in the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel makes it complicit in alleged war crimes in Gaza, Reuters reports.
Three human rights organisations, including the Dutch arm of Oxfam, have brought the case at the district court in The Hague, stating the export of the fighter plane parts enables Israel to bomb the Gaza Strip.
“Israel disregards the fundamental principles of the laws of war, such as distinguishing between civilian and military targets and the principle of proportionality,” in the bombing of the Gaza strip, the organisations said in their court filings.
Israel denies having carried out war crimes, saying its forces abide by international law.
The Dutch Defence Ministry said that, based on the current information, “it cannot be established that the F-35s are involved in grave violations of the humanitarian laws of war”.
A ruling is expected in two weeks.