November 6, 2025 Photo: Despositphotos.com

The Hague Court of Appeal on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of NGOs aiming to force the Dutch government to stop weapons exports to Israel.

The complaint, filed last year, said the Netherlands violated international law by continuing to support Israel during its war on Gaza. A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since October.

“While it is plausible that there is a risk of genocide and serious human rights violations, it is not, in principle, up to the court to prescribe to the state what measures must be taken to prevent this,” the court said in a statement.

The group of 10 NGOs argued the state is neglecting its duty to prevent genocide and serious human rights violations in Gaza and the occupied territories by supplying arms to Israel, permitting trade with Israeli companies and individuals in the Occupied Territories, and failing to urge other countries to take action against Israel.

The Dutch government denied it is violating international law and said it has broad authority to address issues of national security and foreign policy.

A lower court rejected already the claims, saying there is no evidence that the Dutch government is violating international law.

In October, the Dutch Supreme Court ruled that foreign affairs minister David van Weel must decide himself whether to resume the export of fighter jet parts to Israel, and that decision must be taken within six weeks.

In February 2024, judges at The Hague appeal court ordered the Dutch government to stop sending F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, citing violations of international humanitarian law and overturning a lower court decision.

Court cases Gaza Israel

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