The attorney general of the Dutch Supreme Court today issued an opinion in favor of maintaining the ban imposed on the Dutch state to export parts of F-35 fighter jets to Israel, which it uses in the Gaza Strip.

In February, the Court of Appeal in The Hague ruled in favor of an appeal by human rights groups, ordering the Dutch government to stop the export of these parts, finding that there was “clear dangers” they are involved in violations of international humanitarian law.

Following that decision, lawyers for the state appealed to the Supreme Court, which must now reach a final decision.

“Hague Court of Appeal ruling that Dutch state must stop exporting F-35 parts to Israel may remain in place“, said Paul Vlasattorney general of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.

In his reasoning, Vlas emphasizes that “based on various international regulations to which the Netherlands is a party, the export of military material should be prohibited if there is a clear risk” of violating these regulations, the Supreme Court said in a press release.

The case was brought to court by human rights groups who argue that the military hardware contributes to Israel’s violations of the law in its war against Hamas.

The District Court of The Hague ruled in December 2023 that the provision of parts was above all a political decision in which judges should not interfere.

But that decision was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal in February.

While the Supreme Court is not bound to follow this opinion, it is often taken seriously and could be a barometer.

“The Supreme Court will issue a decision as soon as possible“, announced the Court.