This is an English translation of the more info here https://rightsforum.org/hoger-beroep-over-uitvoer-van-f-35-onderdelen-naar-israel-ons-pleidooi/:

Appeal on export of F-35 parts to Israel: our plea

On January 22, 2024, the appeal was filed in the summary proceedings of Oxfam Novib, PAX and The Rights Forum against the Dutch State regarding the supply of parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel. Read the plea of lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld of the organizations below.

In the appeal, the three organizations demand before the Court of Appeal in The Hague that the State put an end to the export of F-35 parts to Israel. The license that makes the export possible should be revoked as soon as possible, argued lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld in a detailed plea, which can be read in its entirety here.

The Netherlands violates its obligations
According to the organizations, it is indisputable that Israel has been deploying its F-35 aircraft in the Gaza Strip since October 7 last year, including for bombing. It is also indisputable that the devices contribute to the abundantly documented destruction of Gaza, and that Israel is guilty of serious violations of international law. By allowing the supply of parts for F-35s, the Dutch State is directly and actively contributing to this, according to the organizations. In doing so, the Netherlands is violating both its own arms export policy and its duty under important international treaties, such as those to prevent (imminent) genocide.

In mid-December, the judge initially rejected the demand for an export stop. He ruled that the Minister is not formally obliged to reassess the previously granted permit against the risk of serious violations of international law. It was mainly because of this legal reasoning that he was reluctant to make his judgments. Wrongly, argues Liesbeth Zegveld.

In contrast to Zegveld’s substantive plea, State Attorney Reimer Veldhuis limited himself mainly to procedural issues – an attitude that is not surprising given the lack of substantive arguments. Primarily, he argued that the court would not have jurisdiction to review the export license. The judge will rule in a public hearing on February 12 at 10:00 a.m.

Explosive letter from officials
The F-35 case took on an even more explosive character because of a letter sent to the Court by some twenty officials and diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter writers argue that the ministry applies different rules when it comes to advising ministers on Israel and the Palestinian territories, Zegveld argues in her plea.

There are several reasons for this, Zegveld quotes the (anonymous) civil servants, including the personal career ambitions of key players: these must be protected ‘at all costs’ and ‘outweigh other interests, including the responsibility of the Netherlands to promote the international legal order’.

In this context, according to the letter writers, it is ‘extremely remarkable’ that Prime Minister Rutte’s Ministry of General Affairs has taken charge of the course of events on this file. A request from the Ministry of General Affairs to the Legal Affairs Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads as follows, Zegveld quotes the letter: ‘What can we say to make it appear that Israel is not committing war crimes?’

The career of Mark Rutte
In a front-page article on Monday, NRC discusses the issue in detail. According to the newspaper, Rutte’s career plays a major role in the background. Next summer, he wants to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General of NATO. The vote of the United States is all-important, the newspaper states: ‘America continues to stand with Israel – and Rutte’s outgoing cabinet does the same, according to the critical officials.’ Even if that means sweeping unwelcome information under the carpet.

According to NRC, this also explains the shameful Dutch voting behaviour in the United Nations, where the Netherlands twice abstained on resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The Netherlands was also the only EU country to make an officer available for the American-British attacks on the Houthis in Yemen.

The Ministries of General Affairs and Foreign Affairs deny the course of events described by the newspaper and Liesbeth Zegveld, writes NRC. However, the letter from the civil servants is not an isolated case, but is yet another signal that there is great unrest among civil servants about the political course that the Netherlands is taking with regard to the murderous Israeli violence in Gaza.