Will the Netherlands Halt Military Support for Israel? F-35 Case Decides

The question of whether the Netherlands will continue to provide a key form of military support to Israel is now in the hands of its Supreme Court. A ruling on the government’s appeal against a ban on exporting F-35 parts will be a decisive moment in the country’s response to the Gaza war.
The legal challenge, led by three Dutch rights groups, has sought to compel the government to align its actions with its stated commitment to international humanitarian law. The groups argue that allowing the transfer of F-35 parts is incompatible with that commitment, given the scale of destruction in Gaza.
The case escalated significantly in February 2024 when an appeals court imposed a ban on the shipments. This ruling was a direct rebuke of the government’s policy and set the stage for a high-stakes appeal to the Supreme Court. The government maintains that its policy is a matter of political discretion.
A central issue is the Netherlands’ role as a host for a U.S.-owned F-35 parts warehouse. The government argues this limits its control and responsibility, while the rights groups contend that any facilitation of the transfers from Dutch soil creates legal culpability.
The broader context is a growing international movement to hold Israel’s allies accountable for their support. The war, which started after Hamas’s attack on October 7, has led to unprecedented casualties, prompting countries like Spain and Slovenia to halt arms sales and fueling legal cases in several European nations.