TRAIN drivers have warned they will boycott vehicles manufactured by a company linked to illegal Israeli settlements.
Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn has been urged to block Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) from winning a contract to build new trains for ScotRail’s suburban fleet.
The company, which is involved in the expansion of the Jerusalem Light Rail system linking illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, was announced as one of five shortlisted firms to build the new fleet last month.
The new trains, which could number as many as 106, are expected to enter service in the early 2030s, ScotRail said and will serve on routes including East Kilbride, Fife, Borders, and the Glasgow inner suburban routes, as well as services between Glasgow and Motherwell, Larkhall, Lanark, and Shotts.
In a letter to Flynn, Kevin Lindsay, Scotland organiser at the train drivers' union Aslef, said his members would not drive the trains if they are built by CAF.
He wrote: "This company operates and is helping expand the Jerusalem Light Rail system connecting illegal settlements with West Jerusalem. These lines constitute war crimes under international law, accordingly CAF is included in the UN database of complicit businesses."
The UN Human Rights Office maintains a list of 158 companies complicit in the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
According to that list, CAF is involved in the supply of "associated infrastructure" to illegal settlements, the provision of transport to support the "the maintenance and existence of settlements" and "the use of natural resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes".
“This decision stands in stark contrast to the position taken by the Scottish Parliament last year that your government voted for resoundingly. The Parliament’s formal adoption of a policy of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel taken by the Parliament must be followed with action. Yet, the Scottish Government as owner of ScotRail has failed to give effect to the principles of that decision in its approach to public procurement in this instance.
"Cabinet Secretary this is a very grave matter for Aslef and all other rail unions. Each of us have formal policies that supports the BDS movement, as do the [Scottish Trades Union Congress].
“I have to warn you in the most serious way possible that unlike some when we formally adopt a position we follow it through.”
Lindsay added: “This means that if CAF were to win this contract my union will boycott these trains. To be clear Cabinet Secretary this means we will not drive these trains.”
Dave Moxham, deputy general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, added: "It would be unconscionable that a company which is deeply involved in the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements should receive funds from the Scottish taxpayer.
“The Scottish Government and now the UK Government have rightly condemned the use of settlements by the Israeli Government in the West Bank as a means of denying Palestinian statehood. The expansion of the Jerusalem Light Rail system connecting illegal settlements with West Jerusalem constitutes a war crime under international law. CAF is included in the UN database of complicit businesses.
“We therefore urge the Scottish Government to act now and in line with the Parliament’s position on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions and remove CAF from the bidders shortlist.”
Gillian Mackay, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens who has pushed for tougher Israeli boycott measures in Holyrood, said awarding CAF the contract would be "a clear breach of the boycott policy that the Scottish Parliament voted for".
She added: "If a company has been named by the UN for profiteering from the repression and abuse of Palestinians, it should not be competing for public contracts in Scotland.
“Aslef and the wider trade union movement are right to oppose this bid. It’s time for the Scottish Government to do the same.
“This is a critical test for the SNP. This bid runs directly against the BDS policy introduced by the Greens and rightly backed by ministers."
The other firms shortlisted are Alstom Engineering and Services Limited, Hitachi Rail Limited, Siemens Mobility Limited and Stadler Rail Schweiz AG.
The Scottish Government, ScotRail and CAF were approached for comment.
