AhlulBayt News Agency: A Dutch court has ruled against a coalition of pro-Palestinian organizations seeking to halt the Netherlands' arms exports to Israel amid ongoing violence in Gaza, where nearly 45,000 people have been killed since the conflict escalated.
The court, in The Hague, stated on Friday that there was "no reason to impose a total ban on the export of military and dual-use goods" and dismissed all claims made by the NGOs.
The plaintiffs argued that the Dutch government was failing to prevent what they termed a "genocide" in Gaza, asserting that Israeli forces were using weapons supplied by the Netherlands in their military operations. Wout Albers, a lawyer for the NGOs, emphasized during the hearings that "Israel is guilty of genocide and apartheid" and is utilizing Dutch-supplied arms to conduct its military campaign.
In contrast, Reimer Veldhuis, representing the Dutch State, defended the government's adherence to European arms export laws and called for the case's dismissal. The court sided with the government, asserting that it has a legal obligation to evaluate arms exports on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with international law.
The ruling noted that Dutch authorities routinely assess whether exported goods could be misused in violations of international law, and if such risks are identified, they refuse the export. The court concluded that the government is meeting its obligations in this regard.
This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of arms exports from European nations to Israel, particularly in light of accusations regarding human rights violations during the ongoing conflict. The NGOs expressed disappointment with the ruling but indicated they may consider an appeal.
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The court, in The Hague, stated on Friday that there was "no reason to impose a total ban on the export of military and dual-use goods" and dismissed all claims made by the NGOs.
The plaintiffs argued that the Dutch government was failing to prevent what they termed a "genocide" in Gaza, asserting that Israeli forces were using weapons supplied by the Netherlands in their military operations. Wout Albers, a lawyer for the NGOs, emphasized during the hearings that "Israel is guilty of genocide and apartheid" and is utilizing Dutch-supplied arms to conduct its military campaign.
In contrast, Reimer Veldhuis, representing the Dutch State, defended the government's adherence to European arms export laws and called for the case's dismissal. The court sided with the government, asserting that it has a legal obligation to evaluate arms exports on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with international law.
The ruling noted that Dutch authorities routinely assess whether exported goods could be misused in violations of international law, and if such risks are identified, they refuse the export. The court concluded that the government is meeting its obligations in this regard.
This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of arms exports from European nations to Israel, particularly in light of accusations regarding human rights violations during the ongoing conflict. The NGOs expressed disappointment with the ruling but indicated they may consider an appeal.
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