Dutch Court rejects call to impose stronger measures against Israel over Gaza
The Dutch government is not legally obligated to impose further measures against Israel over its military actions in Gaza or its settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, The Hague Court of Appeal ruled on Thursday.
The ruling came after the Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq, joined by nine other advocacy groups, appealed to force the Netherlands to act more decisively to prevent what they describe as genocide and serious human rights violations by Israel in Gaza. Al-Haq’s case, filed on behalf of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the occupied territories, focused solely on exports from the Netherlands to Israel and Dutch commercial ties with settlements. The proceedings did not concern Dutch imports of Israeli-made weapons or goods from settlements.
The organizations demanded that the State immediately halt the export of military goods and trained dogs to Israel and take action against Dutch companies engaged in trade with businesses operating in illegal Israeli settlements. They argued that the Netherlands is not only morally but also legally bound under the Genocide Convention to prevent such atrocities.
The Hague Court of Appeal rejected those demands, stating that while it is “plausible that there is a risk of genocide and serious human rights violations,” it is not for the judiciary to dictate which specific measures the government must take in matters of foreign policy.
The court noted that the Dutch State has already taken several steps, including denying export licenses for military goods if there is a risk they could be used in Gaza. “The court must exercise restraint in assessing political decisions,” the ruling said.
Al-Haq also sought to ban the export of trained dogs that could allegedly be used by the Israeli Defense Forces to attack Palestinians. The State denied that claim, and the government’s attorney argued that such dogs are not classified as “dual-use goods,” meaning they cannot be restricted under existing export laws. According to the court, introducing such a ban would require a legislative change, which the judiciary is not authorized to order.
The court further found no sufficient grounds to compel the government to act against Dutch companies trading with entities in illegal settlements, saying there is no evidence that the current discouragement policy is ineffective.
The government’s lawyer also pointed out that other actions have already been taken, including entry bans for two far-right Israeli ministers. The plaintiffs dismissed those measures as “too little too late,” arguing they fail to meet the Netherlands’ international obligations.
The oral hearing took place on September 3, 2025. The court also considered the Supreme Court’s October 3, 2025, decision in the separate “F-35 case,” which involved the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel. Aside from that ruling, the court said it did not take into account any developments that occurred after September 3.
The court’s decision leaves in place the State’s current policy, which restricts certain military exports and discourages trade with settlements but stops short of a full embargo or legislative changes sought by the activists.
