10 pro-Palestinian organizations filed a lawsuit in the Netherlands court on Friday (November 22) highlighting the massive casualties caused by the Israeli aggression in Gaza. They have taken this action by demanding the cessation of arms exports and trade in Israel. British news agency Reuters reported this.
They said the Netherlands is a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention. It is therefore the responsibility of the Dutch government to take effective measures to prevent possible genocide.
Lawyer Vout Albers said the civilian casualties and destruction caused by Israel's military operations in Gaza are unprecedented. So it is now imperative to end the arms and military partnership of the Netherlands.
In January this year, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take steps to prevent possible genocide in Gaza, the hearing said.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel dismissed the accusation as baseless. They claim that they are conducting operations targeting only armed groups. These armed groups hide among the general population and threats to their security.
The Dutch government's lawyer, who applied to dismiss the case, said it is not the court's job to determine foreign policy. And the government is not supporting any kind of attack on Gaza or settlements in the occupied territories.
Earlier, in February this year, a court in the Netherlands ordered a ban on the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. Allegedly, they could be used to violate international law in Gaza. However, the Dutch government appealed against the verdict.
The court did not give any direction on how long the case would last. Usually it takes about two weeks to complete the hearing of such cases.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government announced on Thursday that Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Veldkamp's visit to Israel has been postponed following the issuance of the ICC warrant.
