Dutch court orders halt to export of F-35 jet parts to Israel

On Monday, February 12, a Dutch appeals court ordered the government to block the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel due to a risk of violation of international law during Israel's Gaza offensive. "It is undeniable that there is a clear risk that the exported F-35 parts are used in serious violations of international humanitarian law," the court verdict stated.

The Netherlands is home to one of three U.S.-owned F-35 parts regional warehouses. Several human rights organizations filed a lawsuit in the district court of the Netherlands, alleging that by supplying the United States with components for the F-35 combat aircraft, the Netherlands is aiding in the commission of war crimes.

"These components enable Israel to bomb the Gaza Strip, which is done with disregard for the fundamental principles of warfare. No distinction is made between civilian and military targets, and proportionality is absent," the lawsuit claims.