A court in The Hague has rejected calls by 10 human rights groups to stop the Dutch state from exporting weapons and parts to Israel.

The groups said the Netherlands is violating international law by continuing to trade with Israel, and demanded the government call a halt.

In particular, they said, the state is neglecting its duty to prevent genocide and serious human rights violations in Gaza and the occupied territories by supplying arms to Israel, permitting trade with Israeli companies and individuals in the Occupied Territories, and failing to urge other countries to take action against Israel.

The Dutch government denied it is violating international law and had asked the court to dismiss the case at last month’s hearing.

The court rejected all the NGO’s claims, saying there is no evidence that the Dutch government is violating international law.

The court ruled that the state must already consider whether there is a clear risk that the goods could be used by Israel in a way that could lead to violations of international humanitarian law, and said several export applications have been denied.

In addition, the court said, the Dutch state cannot be compelled to declare a complete embargo on the export of military goods because Israel has the right to defend its own territory.

There is a valid distinction between the supply of military goods that could be used in attacks on the Palestinian population and goods that could only be used in the defence of Israel’s own territory, the court said.

Read a summary of the ruling (in Dutch)