Copenhagen Court to Rule on Danish Arms Exports to Israel

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – A Copenhagen court is set to deliver a significant ruling on Friday concerning a lawsuit filed by four humanitarian organizations. These groups allege that Denmark has violated international law through its arms exports to Israel. The court’s decision will determine whether the lawsuit is admissible for consideration.

The lawsuit, initiated in March 2024, has garnered attention as it follows a similar legal action taken by a coalition of humanitarian groups in the Netherlands. The Danish lawsuit targets the country's foreign ministry and national police, asserting that there is a potential for Danish military equipment to be used in actions that breach human rights, particularly concerning civilians in Gaza.

Among the organizations involved in this legal effort are Al-Haq, Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Action Aid Denmark. They contend that the export of military materials from Denmark poses a risk of complicity in serious crimes against civilians in conflict zones. In their statement, the organizations emphasized the serious implications of arms trading in areas experiencing unrest.

The lawsuit specifically addresses the foreign ministry's role in assessing risks associated with arms exports and the police's responsibility for granting export licenses. "We are the biggest human rights organization in the world and our mandate is clearly to protect human rights," remarked Vibe Klarup, the secretary general of the Danish branch of Amnesty International.

The issue gained further prominence after Danish media outlets reported in 2023 that parts manufactured by the Danish company Terma were being used in Israel's F-35 fighter jets. Klarup reiterated Amnesty International’s ongoing efforts to promote the UN Arms Trade Treaty, aimed at preventing the misuse of arms for human rights violations.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen defended the country’s arms exports, indicating that participation in international defense programs, including the F-35 initiative, is vital for national security and strategic alliances.

This lawsuit occurs amid ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas, with Amnesty International and other groups previously accusing Israel of "committing genocide" in its operations against Palestinians in Gaza. The current conflict has resulted in a worrying toll on both sides, with the health ministry in Gaza reporting over 50,000 deaths since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Israel has reported more than 1,200 civilian casualties due to Hamas attacks.

The Eastern High Court in Copenhagen is expected to announce its decision at approximately 10:00 AM local time (08:00 GMT) on Friday, which could have significant implications for Denmark's military exports and its stance on international human rights standards.