Since 2002, GKN/Fokker has officially been part of the international F-35 fighter jet program. Fokker also produces wing components, brake parachute valves, and arresting hooks for aircraft carrier landings [4].

Israel Uses F-35s for War Crimes

In 2018, Israel became the first country in the world to deploy F-35s in active combat, targeting Syria and Iran [5]. Since 2023, Israel has repeatedly used F-35s not only in the Gaza Strip [6] but also in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iran, accumulating a total of 15,000 flight hours [7]. In the Gaza Strip, at least 60,000 (and likely tens of thousands more) Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's war crimes [8], including at least 13,000 children [9]. Hospitals, universities, schools, and entire residential complexes have been razed to the ground. These actions are officially considered war crimes [10].

Netherlands Finds Loophole to Continue Supplying F-35 Parts to Israel

In February 2024, the court in The Hague ruled that the Netherlands may no longer supply F-35 parts to Israel [11]. The Dutch government appealed the decision, but in November, the Advocate General of the Supreme Court upheld the Hague court's ruling [12]. Meanwhile, the Netherlands continues to supply components to the United States, which then delivers them to Israel [13].

Activists Demand Immediate Halt to Operations

The activists demand that GKN Fokker withdraw from the F-35 program and immediately cease designing, producing, storing, and exporting F-35 components. They also demand that the Netherlands stop supplying F-35 parts to the United States. The activists are committed to keep pressuring GKN Fokker until their demands are met.

Sources

1. Storage F-35 parts at Woensdrecht conscious choice of US, five questions about 'militarily Bol.com'
2. Nederland zegt export van F-35-onderdelen aan Israël niet te kunnen stoppen
3. Verlichting magazijn GKN Fokker Elmo brandt alleen nog wanneer nodig
4. NIDV magazine
5. Israel Launched World's First Air Strike Using F-35 Stealth Fighters, Air Force Chief Says
6. Is Israel Using It's Special “Adir” F-35i Variant to Attack Hamas?
7. WATCH: IDF strengthens air dominance with latest F-35 arrivals
8. Gaza war death toll could be significantly higher, researchers say
9. Devastating toll for Gaza’s children: Over 13,000 killed and an estimated 25,000 injured, UN says
10. UN: Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals may be a war crime
11. Nederland moet stoppen met uitvoer van F-35-onderdelen naar Israël, Staat in cassatie
12. Advies AG aan Hoge Raad: uitspraak hof dat Nederlandse Staat de uitvoer van F-35-onderdelen naar Israël moet stoppen kan in stand blijven
13. Nederland zegt export van F-35-onderdelen aan Israël niet te kunnen stoppen