ScotRail drivers, who are members of rail unions TSSA and ASLEF, have stated they will strike if new Israeli-built trains are to be brought in and used in Scotland as new suburban trains.
These trains would likely enter service from 2030 onwards, with up to 106 to be produced to serve on routes including East Kilbride, Fife, Borders, and Glasgow.
The drivers are in conversation with the Scottish Government, urging them to rethink the construction and use of such trains. They have not explicitly announced when their strike action could take place.
Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) is one of five manufacturers shortlisted to replace ScotRail’s current suburban rail fleet.
CAF has problematic links to the expansionism of Israeli settlements throughout Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The company operates Jerusalem Light Railway, which is maintained in occupied Palestinian territories, and has been rapidly extending to encompass more land.
Israeli settlements in these areas are illegal under international law, and Light Railway is assisting “disguised annexation” through its links it is providing across the settlements.
According to the UN, CAF is a complicit business. The Scottish Government has adopted a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions position against Israel, but has been criticised for failing to implement it, specifically by TSSA.
The Scottish Government are in the ‘Invitation to Negotiate’ stage, and are yet to decide between the manufacturers on the shortlist.
There are four alternatives to CAF: Alstom Engineering Services, Hitachi Rail, Siemens Mobility and Stadler Rail.
Image by Max Brown for The Student
