Why the Netherlands Just Clamped Down on Exports to Israel

In a major policy shift, the Netherlands has announced tighter restrictions on military and dual-use exports to Israel, citing growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and regional instability. The decision reflects heightened scrutiny over arms transfers amid escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Key Changes in Dutch Export Policy

• End of General Licenses: Previously, many military exports were covered under broad licenses without case-by-case reviews. Now, the Dutch government has revoked these general authorizations.
• Stricter Permit Requirements: Exporters must apply for individual or global permits, subject to rigorous EU compliance checks.
• Humanitarian & Legal Considerations: The government emphasized that exports must align with EU export control laws and international humanitarian obligations.

Government’s Justification for the Policy Shift

Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp and Trade Minister Renate Cleaver explained that this measure is driven by “the security situation in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and the region as a whole.” The ministers emphasized that the country’s licensing process must be in line with legal and humanitarian obligations under European export rules.

The government also clarified that since October 7, 2023 — the day Israel began its military campaign in Gaza in response to a deadly Hamas attack — no military products have been shipped to Israel under a general license. However, lower-risk information security items, such as network security routers, had still been exported under that framework until now.

Impact on Current and Future Exports

This policy tightening comes shortly after the collapse of a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas on March 18, 2025. In the last 24 hours alone, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed at least 57 Palestinians, pushing the death toll in Gaza to over 50,000, according to local health authorities. Israel launched its offensive in response to a Hamas-led attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.

Adding legal weight to the government’s decision, a Dutch court in 2023 had already ruled that the Netherlands must halt the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel due to concerns over their use in Gaza.