Dutch court rejects request to stop arms exports to Israel

(CLO) On Friday (December 13), a Dutch court rejected a request by 10 pro-Palestinian non -governmental organizations (NGOs) to stop the Netherlands from exporting weapons to Israel and dealing with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The district court in The Hague stressed that the Dutch government has a certain autonomy in setting policy and that the court should not intervene too quickly.

People evacuate to avoid conflict in Gaza on October 22, 2024. (Source: THX/TTXVN)

“The court finds no reason to impose a total ban on the export of military and dual-use state goods,” the court said in a statement.

NGOs, citing the large number of civilian casualties in Israel's war in Gaza, argue that the Netherlands, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, is obliged to take all reasonable measures to prevent genocide.

They also cited the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order in January 2024 requiring Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.

Israel denies accusations of genocide in its campaign in Gaza, insisting that its sole objective is to destroy Hamas and other militant groups that threaten the state’s existence. Israel also alleges that these groups often hide among civilians, which the groups deny.

Judges at the Hague District Court said the Dutch government regularly assessed the risk that weapons and dual-use goods exported to Israel could be used in violation of international law. The Netherlands also said it had refused some export orders in certain cases.

However, in a separate case in February 2024, a Dutch court ruled that the Dutch government should block all exports of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel over concerns that they could be used to violate international law in the Gaza war. The Dutch government is currently appealing the ruling.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters, CNN, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/toa-an-ha-lan-bac-yeu-cau-ngung-xuat-khau-vu-khi-sang-israel-post325569.html