UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY DUTCH GOVERNMENT; REVISES DECK
By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal and Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - The Netherlands must stop the delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel within seven days, a Dutch appeal court ordered Monday.
The decision came as the court upheld an appeal from human rights organizations who argued that supplying the parts contributed to “violations of international law by Israel” in its war with Hamas.
"The court orders the State to cease all actual export and transit of F-35 parts with final destination Israel within seven days after service of this judgement," said the court.
"In doing so, the Netherlands is contributing to serious violations of humanitarian law of war in Gaza," the rights groups said.
The F-35 parts, produced by the US, are stored at a warehouse in the Netherlands.
- Government lodging appeal
In a statement following the development, the Dutch government said it is filing an appeal to the Dutch Supreme Court against the Hague Court of Appeal's ruling, a decision taken by Geoffrey van Leeuwen, the minister for foreign trade and development cooperation.
"Of course the government respects the Court of Appeal’s judgment and will implement it," said the statement, adding: "In the government’s view, the distribution of American F-35 parts is not unlawful."
Expressing that it should be up to the state to determine its foreign policy, the government noted that is lodging an appeal in cassation because it believes the Court of Appeal "did not take sufficient account of this."
"In the meantime, the government will consult with international partners within the F-35 programme very soon in order to secure the Netherlands' role within the programme," said the statement.
The F-35 aircraft is "crucial for Israel’s security," the government noted, claiming that its step toward filing an appeal against the judgment is "separate from the situation in Gaza."
"The Netherlands continues to call for an immediate temporary humanitarian ceasefire, and for as much humanitarian aid as possible to be allowed to reach the suffering people of Gaza," it noted.
"The situation is extremely serious. It is clear that international humanitarian law applies in full and Israel, too, must abide by it," added the statement.