News item | 12-02-2024 | 2:30 PM
The State is appealing in cassation against the judgment of the Court of Appeal in The Hague on the transfer of American F-35 parts to Israel. This was decided by Minister Van Leeuwen (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation). The Court ruled this morning that no further deliveries of F-35 parts from the Netherlands to Israel may take place within a maximum of seven days. Naturally, the government respects the Court’s ruling and will implement it.
The government is of the opinion that the onward supply of American F-35 parts is not unlawful. According to the cabinet, it is up to the State to shape its foreign policy. The government is appealing in cassation because it is of the opinion that the Court of Appeal has not taken this into sufficient account.
In the meantime, the Netherlands will quickly enter into discussions with international partners within the F-35 program to secure the Dutch role within the program. The government will do its utmost to convince allies and partners of the continued reliability of the Netherlands in the F-35 project, and in international and European defense cooperation.
This cooperation is important for the national security of the Netherlands. But also essential for Israel, because the F-35s play a crucial role in Israel’s security. This mainly concerns threats from the region, for example from Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon.
The State’s decision to appeal in cassation is separate from the situation in Gaza. The Netherlands urges an immediate temporary humanitarian ceasefire and as much humanitarian aid as possible to the suffering population of Gaza. The situation is very worrying. In addition, it has been established that humanitarian law of war applies in full. Israel must also adhere to this.