The Hague Court of Appeal dismissed on Thursday a case by a human rights organization and several advocacy groups demanding that the Dutch government impose further boycott and sanctions on Israel over its actions in Gaza, local media reported on Thursday.
Although it is “plausible that there is a risk of genocide and serious human rights violations,” the Hague Court of Appeal ruled, according to The Washington Post, the government has discretion regarding matters of foreign policy and national security.
Al-Haq, a Ramallah-based Palestinian human rights organization, and nine other advocacy groups urged the Dutch government to cease exporting goods to Israel, including weapons and "trained [police] dogs," claiming that they may be used on Palestinians, and to cut commercial ties with any West Bank settlements.
No mention of Dutch imports of Israeli weapons or goods from settlements was made, the NL Times reported.
Previous sanctions placed on Israel by the Netherlands
The Dutch government's lawyer pointed out that other measures had already been taken against Israel, including banning National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the country in late July.
The court further ruled that it cannot force the government to ban Dutch companies from trading with Israeli settlements, as there is little to no evidence proving that the current policies regarding the issue are ineffective.
Last year's appeal ordering the Dutch government to block all exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel over concerns they were being used in violations of international law during Israel's Gaza offensive was also brought up for the court to consider.
Reuters contributed to this report.