Cabinet delays resumption of F-35 parts deliveries to Israel pending review

Outgoing State Secretary Aukje de Vries of Foreign Trade and Minister David van Weel of Foreign Affairs informed the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, that the Netherlands will continue to halt shipments of F-35 components to Israel. A final decision on whether to resume deliveries is expected within six months.The Supreme Court ruled on October 3 that the country must reconsider the export and transit of these fighter jet components to Israel.

Shipments of F-35 components to Israel have been suspended since February 2024, following a legal victory for several human rights organizations, among them Oxfam Novib, PAX, and The Rights Forum, against the Dutch state. The court stated that “there is a clear risk the parts may be used in breaches of international humanitarian law.”

Following the Supreme Court ruling on October 3, a ceasefire in Gaza began on October 10. The Dutch Cabinet, however, believes it is too soon to issue a new assessment regarding the export of F-35 parts to Israel. A decision will be made within six months, with the government required to determine whether the components are being used in violation of international humanitarian law.

During the reassessment, the minister is required to take into account standards from international agreements, including the Arms Trade Treaty and EU rules on arms exports. In April 2025, the Netherlands government introduced tighter oversight of military and dual-use exports to Israel, meaning future export permits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis rather than granted through general licenses.

The Netherlands can continue exporting F-35 components to nations other than Israel. De Vries says this is “vital” for maintaining the country’s standing in the European defense sector.