Netherlands tightens controls on military and dual use exports to Israel
The Dutch government says it has tightened export controls for all military and “dual use” goods destined for Israel.
All direct exports and the transit of these goods to Israel will be checked to see if they comply with European regulations, and will no longer be covered by general export licences, the government said in a letter to parliament.
“This is desirable considering the security situation in Israel, the Palestinian territories and the wider region,” Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and Trade Minister Reinette Klever wrote.
“Exporters will still be able to request permits, that will then be checked against European regulations.”
The government said no military goods had been exported to Israel under a general permit since the start of the Gaza war.
Germany calls for probe into ‘shocking’ Israeli killing of medics
Germany has called for an urgent investigation into “shocking” accusations that Israeli forces knowingly fired on a convoy of ambulances in an attack that killed 15 emergency workers in Gaza on March 23.
“There are very significant questions about the actions of the Israeli army now,” Federal Foreign Office spokesman Christian Wagner said after video footage emerged debunking Israel’s claims about the circumstances of the attack.
“An investigation and accountability of the perpetrators are urgently needed,” he said.
Wagner said the accusations against the Israeli military were “shocking” and “really terrible” and “urgently need to be cleared up”.
More concerned about the accusations rather than the truth....
