A court in the Netherlands ordered the Dutch government on Monday to stop exporting parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel, a move that reflected growing alarm over the heavy civilian toll of Israel’s war in Gaza, but was unlikely to have an immediate effect on military campaign.
The Netherlands hosts a warehouse of US F-35 parts that are exported to countries that operate the fighters. Oxfam and two other human rights organizations filed a lawsuit against the Dutch government in December, demanding that it halt the exports amid concerns about possible violations of international law by Israel in Gaza.
In an initial ruling in December, a court declined to issue the order, but on Monday an appeals court in The Hague said it agreed with the rights groups. It gave the Dutch government seven days to stop exporting F-35 parts to Israel.
“The court finds that there is a clear risk that Israel’s F-35 fighter jets will be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law,” it said in a ruling.
The Dutch government said it would appeal to the country’s Supreme Court against the ruling, which came as Prime Minister Mark Rutte was visiting Israel. Israel’s defense ministry declined to comment.
More than 28,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health officials there, since Israel launched a war of retaliation against Hamas following the militant group’s deadly Oct. 7 attack. Rights groups are increasingly calling on countries to block arms exports to Israel to protest how the country is carrying out its attack.
Analysts said Monday’s decision will have little impact on the Israeli military’s capabilities, given that it has other weapons at its disposal and because F-35 components are available elsewhere.
“If one supplier is unable to deliver for whatever reason, parts can be sourced from another,” said Gareth Jennings, aviation editor at defense intelligence firm Janes.
For now, he added, the Dutch decision appears to be “a symbolic act rather than an act that has a real impact on Israel’s F-35 fleet.”
The F-35, manufactured by the American defense company Lockheed Martin, is considered one of the most expensive weapons programs in history. Each jet has a price tag of around $80 to $100 million. the aircraft are capable of evading enemy radars and use a highly advanced software system.
More than a dozen countries – including Israel, the United States and Britain – own or have placed orders for F-35s. Israel was the first known to have used one in combat, saying in May 2018 that it had used the F-35 in two airstrikes in the Middle East, without specifying the targets.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. In December, US military officials confirmed that the United States had rushed to support militants in Israel following the October 7 attacks.
“Since early October, the F-35 program has provided increased support to Israel,” Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt told a House Armed Services subcommittee.
Gabby Sobelman contributed to the report.
