Train drivers in Scotland have warned that they will refuse to operate new ScotRail trains if Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), which has links to Israeli settlement expansion in the illegally occupied West Bank, wins a contract to build the fleet.
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) has opposed CAF’s inclusion among five shortlisted manufacturers, with the union’s Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay warning that its members will not drive trains built by the company.
ASLEF has raised concerns over CAF’s involvement in operating and expanding Jerusalem’s light rail network, which connects illegal ‘Israeli’ settlements in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories with West Jerusalem.
The United Nations Human Rights (UNHR) Office has included CAF in its database of businesses involved in activities linked to ‘Israeli’ settlements. The office has identified the company’s role in providing infrastructure and transport services that support their maintenance and expansion.
The proposed contract covers the manufacture of up to 106 trains, which are expected to enter service in the early 2030s. The fleet will serve routes including East Kilbride, Fife, the Borders and Glasgow’s suburban network.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has also opposed CAF’s participation. Its Deputy General Secretary, Dave Moxham, described the use of public money to support a company involved in settlement expansion as “unconscionable” and urged the Scottish government to remove CAF from the bidding process.
The Scottish Greens have called for the company to be excluded, arguing that awarding it the contract will conflict with the Scottish Parliament’s position on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).
In September, the Scottish Parliament backed a motion calling for companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories to be barred from public procurement contracts and Scottish government support. The motion passed with 63 votes in favour, 25 against and 31 abstentions.
However, Scottish Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn has declined to rule out CAF’s participation. In correspondence with ASLEF, Flynn argued that inclusion on a UN database alone would not necessarily provide sufficient grounds to exclude the company. He added that Scottish Rail Holdings, the public body overseeing the procurement, will make the final decision.
On October 29, Scottish Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament(MSP) Katy Clark submitted parliamentary questions seeking clarification on whether the government had obtained legal advice on CAF’s eligibility and whether the procurement process will remain paused pending that advice. Answers are expected on November 12.
