The Netherlands are still supporting the supply chain of Israel’s version of the F-35 combat plane, more than a year after a court prohibited the direct Dutch exports of F-35 pieces to Israel, says a report.
Research of the Palestinian Youth Movement (Pym) shared with Al Jazeera shows That the port of Rotterdam is frequented by ships that transport F-35 parts for maintenance and assembly. The ships belong to the Danish shipping giant Maersk.
By examining import data and shipping reepts of maersk and lockheed martin-the United States weapons manufacturing that design the f-35-ithe group Found that more than than a Than a boxles from from Israel Travelled Through United Throuch Unite Through Through Through Untilda April 5 Way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to a their way to a their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way to their way his way to his way to his way to his way to his way to the family.
The F-35 combat plane has been used by Israel to bomb Gaza del Aire with a devastating effect. Much of the Strip, where more than 50,000 people have killed their October 2023, is in ruins.
“Maersk now operates a recurring shipping cycle between the Fort Worth facilities of Lockheed Martin in Texas and Israel Aerospace Industries in Israel, routed through Rotterdam,” the report said. “In this cycle, Maersk transports couples or containers of Ala F-35 empty from Houston to Ashdod, Israel, where they are loaded with full F-35 wings. The full containers are sent to the US. UU. For a final assembly or repair.”
The researchers pointed out that Rotterdam is a “key stop point in this process, and shipments for this cycle have occurred beyond February 2024”.
Then, a judge of a Dutch Court of Appeals ordered the Netherlands to stop exporting and transit F-35 to Israel, saying that there was a “clear risk” that were being used in “serious violations of international humanitarian law.”
The Dutch state immediately presented an appeal in the Supreme Court, but until a decision is made, it is still bound by the lower court ruling.
“The findings in the report show that the port of Rotterdam plays an important role in maintaining the operational capabilities of Israel’s F-35 combat aircraft. In this way, the port of Rotterdam is a consequence of the violations of the international law in Gaza,” Gerard Jonkman, director of a Dutch NGO.
The Ministry of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Al Jazeera that the court had confirmed that the sentence in February 2024 applied only to the export or transit of F-35 parts from the Netherlands to Israel and that the Dutch state. Implemented the trial.
A spokesman from the port of Rotterdam told Al Jazeera that the Dutch Foreign Ministry was an answer to issue permits for the transford of military goods. Port officials verify compliance with the ship with the environmental and security regulations for shipping in the name of the Government and the municipality of Rotterdam, they said.
“The Master Harbor receives only limited information about the load of the ship. The information received mainly refers to whether the ship carries dangerous substances. Other aspects of the boat charge are monitored by several public authors
They said they were “aware” of the judicial decision of February 2024.
“All activities in the port must comply with international laws and regulations and permits issued by the Government. If we see any indication other than the case, the port of the Rotterdam authority alerts the competent authority.”
‘Netherlands is still part of the supply chain’
The Rights Forum was one of the three parties, together with the Dutch affiliate of Oxfam and Pax For Peace, the largest peace organization in the Netherlands, which demanded the Dutch state for its export of F-35 parts to Israel.
“In this case, there is no direct export of the Netherlands to Israel, but the Netherlands remain part of the supply chain for the Israeli F-35 program,” said Gerard Jonkman, head of the Rights Forum, on the findings of the Palestinian Youth Movement. “In this way, the Netherlands facilitate the Israeli program F-35 and could violate their obligations under international law.”
The leader of the Pax for Peace project, Frank Slijper, told Al Jazeera: “This in fact shows that the Netherlands are part of the F-35 supply chain.”
A base organization, the Palestinian youth movement believes that aiming Maersk directly interrupts the flow of weapons in the “Death Supply chain used to the Palestinians Genocide.”
According to the group, Maersk has sent the wings for each F-35 Israeli since March 2022.
In November 2024, after a decision of Spain to deny the coupling permit to two ships with weapons bound for Israel, Maersk adjusted its routes. The company’s fleet now avoids Spain in favor of Rotterdam and the port of Tanguero in Morocco
“Maersk, for years, has provided the Israeli military components of key weapons components used to carry out genocide in Gaza,” said Aisha Nizar, of the Palestinian Youth Movement, Al Jazeera. “The company has done it without hesitation, potentially violating multiple arms policies throughout Europe.”
The F-35 is considered a frontline combat plane. The plane designed by Lockheed Martin costs at least $ 80 million in its most basic configuration.
Currently, 12 countries operate the plane. The F-35 parts are held in the United States and several associated participating countries, which gives the project the joint strike fighter.
“It is very sad to see that Maersk is not distancing Itzelf from Israel’s crimes against Humanity in Gaza and continues more widely lending himself to the crucial readjustment of Israel’s armed forces,” Slacher said. “Sending military supplies for the benefit of Israel’s weapons industry and [Israeli army] Risk Maersk congratulate in Israel’s crimes. “
The use of the Israel plane, the only country with its unique version of the F-35, has been scrutinized since the beginning of the attack in Gaza.
Recently, campaign groups promote the United Kingdom government in an attempt to stop exports of British F-35 parts to Israel.
In a statement to Al Jazeera, Lockheed Martin said: “Foreign military sales are government to government transactions, and we adhere to the United States government policy regarding business with international partners.”
RUGDING F-35 SHIPMENTS, MAERSK TOLD AL JAZEERA THAT IT UPHOLDS A STRTC POLY OF NOT SHIPPING WEAPONS OR AMMUNITION TO ACTIVE CONFLICT ZONES AND THAT IT DRIVED DEL DLEVENCE, PARTICULARLY IN REGIONS AFFECTED BY Active Conflicts, AND ADOTS, AND ADOTS AND AD. Active Confluds, and Adapts, and Adapted Confluds, and Adapted Confluds, and Adapted Confluds, and Gazdes, and Gaza-Esrael, and Gaza-Esrael, and Gaza-Active, and adapted, and active contributions, and active content, and adapted, and adapted, and Gaza-Esrael, and Gaza-Duding and Gaza-And Gaza. The changing context. However, he confirmed that his American subsidiary Maersk Line Limited was one of the “many companies that support the global supply chain F-35” with transport services.
The F-35 program includes several coalition countries, including Israel.
“As part of the F-35 coalition construction, Maersk Line Limited regularly transports pieces between participating countries, including Israel, where F-35 wings are manufactured,” he said.
About The Author
