Following legal efforts to halt Dutch exports of F-35 parts to Israel, the Dutch government now faces a lawsuit over its alleged failure to prevent genocide and uphold international humanitarian law in its relationship with Israel. This new case seeks a Dutch arms embargo on Israel and the cessation of Dutch economic ties with Israel’s illegal settlements. The Genocide Convention, to which the Netherlands is a party, obliges signatories to prevent the crime of genocide from taking place. However, the Netherlands, consistently positioning itself as a political ally of Israel, has failed to act to prevent genocide. During the programme at Pakhuis de Zwijger, speakers will share information about the role of the Dutch government in Israel’s alleged war crimes, the objective of the new court case, the connection to the F-35 case and next steps in both cases. Additionally, the event will feature a fundraiser to support legal costs for the case.
Additional information on speakers
Frank Slijper is an expert on arms trade and control and actively involved in the F35 case against the Dutch State. He will elaborate on the Dutch export of arms (parts) and dual items to Israel.
Lydia de Leeuw is specialised in corporate complicity in international crimes. She is part of the legal team in the genocide prevention case against the Netherlands and will speak about Dutch economic ties to the settlements and occupation.
Tahseen Elaayyan will speak about the wider legal context and implications of the case against the Netherlands.
Wout Albers is the lawyer representing the Dutch and Palestinian organisations suing the Dutch state for its failure to prevent genocide in Gaza and uphold international humanitarian law. Wout will speak about the legal case against the state, its objectives and the next steps.
Organisations that are part of the coalition:
Our broad coalition consist of Palestinian organisations Al-Haq, Al Mezan, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights(PCHR), and Netherlands-based organisations Een Ander Joods Geluid (EAJG), the European Legal Support Center (ELSC), Stichting Groningen-Jabalya, Nederlands Palestina Komitee, SOMO, Stichting Kifaia, and Stichting Palestina. We are represented by lawyers from Global Justice Association in the proceedings before the court.
Our case is also supported by Dutch collectives Erev Rav and Plant een Olijfboom.
