The Netherlands is under increasing pressure to halt the export of specially trained dogs to Israel amid concerns about their potential use by the Israeli military in human rights violations. Despite mounting calls for tighter regulations, the export of these service dogs continues, sparking controversy and debate.

The issue has gained renewed urgency due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. Currently, Dutch regulations treat service dogs as pets, subjecting them to less stringent export controls than military goods or dual-use items.

Recently, members of parliament (MPs) voted in favor of reclassifying the dogs as dual-use items, which would impose stricter export controls. This proposed change reflects growing unease about the potential misuse of these animals.

Three Dutch companies are currently involved in exporting dogs to Israel. While two of these companies claim their dogs are trained for detection purposes (drugs or explosives), the exact deployment of these dogs by the Israeli army remains unclear. None of the three companies provided detailed responses to inquiries about the export practices.

Lydia de Leeuw, a researcher at the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), stated that the Israeli army systematically uses service dogs in human rights abuses, including torturing detainees and attacking civilians. De Leeuw cited documentation from Palestinian partner organizations and the United Nations supporting these claims.

According to SOMO figures, 110 veterinary certificates for dog exports to Israel have been issued since the start of the Gaza war. A significant portion of these certificates, 100 in total, were granted to Four Winds K9, a police dog training center located in the Netherlands.

In 2018, Four Winds K9 agreed to compensate a Palestinian boy who was bitten by one of its dogs on the command of the Israeli army in 2014. This incident highlights the potential for service dogs to be involved in controversial situations. The Israeli army has not responded to requests for comment on this matter.