Danish Supreme Court hears case on arms exports to Israel

COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s Supreme Court on Tuesday commenced hearings in a lawsuit brought by four humanitarian organisations challenging the country’s arms exports to Israel. The case, filed against the Danish foreign ministry and national police, alleges that Denmark is breaching international law by supplying weapons components to Israel.

The plaintiffs in the case include the Palestinian human rights association Al-Haq, ActionAid Denmark, and the Danish branches of Amnesty International and Oxfam. They argue that Denmark’s export of parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel is in violation of its international obligations, particularly in light of what an Amnesty official described as Israel’s “war crimes and genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

In April 2025, a lower court dismissed the lawsuit. The Eastern High Court found, in an appeal, that the organisations lacked standing to bring the case forward. The Supreme Court is now set to determine whether these groups are entitled to challenge the legality of Denmark’s arms sales in court.

The Danish government has maintained that its export control policies are “in accordance with applicable EU and international law obligations.”

The outcome of the Supreme Court’s deliberations will decide if the case can proceed to a substantive review of Denmark’s arms export practices. The case has drawn attention from human rights advocates and legal experts, who are closely monitoring the proceedings for potential implications on international arms trade regulations and accountability for alleged violations in conflict zones.