The Dutch case concerns spare parts for F-35 aircraft owned by the United States and stored in the Netherlands (French)

Political advisor to the international humanitarian aid organization Oxfam, Dirk Jan Galving, said that European countries must implement the decision of the Dutch Court of Appeal regarding stopping the sale of parts of the American F-35 fighter jet to Israel.

Oxfam is one of the parties to the case in which the Dutch Court of Appeal issued a decision yesterday, Monday, suspending the sale of parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, due to their “violation of international humanitarian law.”

The Dutch court considered that Israel did not adequately take into account the damage caused to civilians in its war on the Gaza Strip, adding that it ordered a halt to the export of F-35 fighter parts to Israel within 7 days.

Anadolu Agency quoted Galving as saying that the lawsuit against the Dutch government aims “to ensure their compliance with their obligations under international law,” and stressed that “the parts presented by the Dutch government contribute to a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”

He considered that all countries are obligated "to fulfill their legal obligations regarding the impact of the decisions of the Court of Appeal in The Hague on sales of fighter parts, and to comply with the Geneva Convention and the Arms Trade Agreement."

He added, "All of Europe must take a common position in line with the decision. The conclusions reached by the Dutch court must also affect other countries. Other European countries should, in principle, adopt the decision of the court in the Netherlands to suspend sales due to violations of international humanitarian law, and in terms of Technically, all European countries must adhere to the same legal rules.”

Regarding the consequences of the decision, Galving said, “I believe that this decision will put pressure on Israel and put an end to violations of international humanitarian law.”

Oxfam Director Michel Servais expressed his hope that "this ruling will strengthen international law in other countries so that the residents of Gaza can enjoy the protection of international law."

Holland makes excuses

In a statement following the decision of the Court of Appeal in The Hague, Dutch government officials stated that they would appeal to the Dutch Supreme Court against the decision, in line with instructions from Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

The statement stated that the government believes that “the distribution of spare parts for American F-35 aircraft is not in violation of the law,” and confirmed that it will conduct consultations with “international partners.”

The case concerns spare parts owned by the United States and stored in the Netherlands before being sent to partner countries, including Israel, under export agreements.

The Dutch authorities confirmed last November that it was not clear whether they even had the authority to interfere in the deliveries, which are part of a US-run operation to supply parts to all companies in the F-35 program.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 aircraft, said in a statement that it is working to evaluate the repercussions of the Dutch court’s decision on its supply chain, but added that it is “ready to support the US government and its allies if necessary.”

Source: Agencies