Netherlands restricts military purchases from “Israel”

AMSTERDAM, Feb. 07 (YPA) – The Dutch parliament has approved a resolution to reduce the national army’s reliance on Israeli military industries.

This parliamentary move pushes the government to seek European or domestic alternatives, in an effort to end the state of technological “dependence” on Israeli arms companies that has intensified in recent years.

It is noteworthy that reports have revealed the extent of the Netherlands’ significant reliance on the technologies of companies such as Elbit Systems and Rafael, with military purchases from Israel reaching approximately one billion euros in the past two years alone.

In a letter to lawmakers, Dutch Defense Minister Rob Brekelmans acknowledged this dependence, emphasizing the ministry’s future preference for suppliers within the European Union to ensure security sovereignty.

In April 2025, the Dutch government announced the cancellation of general export licenses to Israel and their replacement with a rigorous case-by-case inspection system, including for military equipment and dual-use goods.

Meanwhile, observers believe that the parliament’s approval of reducing military dependence is not merely a technical procedure, but a political message reflecting a shift in Dutch public opinion, which rejects taxpayers’ money being used to fuel regional conflicts.