The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is looking for alternative ways to supply F-35 parts to Israel after the court ban. According to the Netherlands-based publication NOS, the Dutch government is trying to find a solution to bypass The Hague’s decision to ban any export or transit of F-35 parts to Israel. The publication stated the evidence is from internal ministry documents that have been viewed. A month ago, the court in The Hague ruled on appeal that the State must stop “any (actual) export and transit of F-35 parts with final destination Israel” because there is a clear risk of serious violations of the humanitarian law of war in the Gaza Strip. The ministry has appealed the ruling but cannot supply any parts until then.
That is why the Ministry of Defence asked the Foreign Office to let diplomats think about alternatives. With these alternatives, the outgoing cabinet hopes to continue deliveries from other countries via a short and long-term detour. It is reported that the parts could be sent directly to Israel from various other locations, including the U.S.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that the Netherlands has informed the U.S. about the verdict and that the F-35 program is investigating “how Israel can maintain access to the necessary F-35 parts. This concerns American goods, and this continues outside the Netherlands.”
In addition, Dutch companies such as Fokker also make F-35 parts. Since the court ruling, they have to adhere to stricter rules so that the parts are not delivered directly to Israel.
When asked about this, manufacturer Fokker said that F-35 parts are still being supplied to American customers. A spokesperson did not want to answer the question of whether the company knows who the end user is.
