Spain: The Public Prosecutor’s Office is addressing a complaint filed against the Spanish manufacturer by a coalition of six Palestinian civil society organisations in February.
Notably, the Ministry of Justice has decided to make the complaint part of the pre-trial investigation opened last year by the National Court and related to the case of violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The case has been initiated, as Spain is liable to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
The complaint accuses CAF’s Board of Directors and CEOs of its six Israeli subsidiaries of actions that could fall under several provisions connected with military crimes and human rights violations. In particular, the Prosecutor’s Office is examining such accusations as illegal transfer of population, racial segregation, and maintenance of inhumane and discriminatory practices. Such violations could evoke penalties according to Spain’s Criminal Code and result in 10–15 years of imprisonment for persons who take strategic decisions leading to these malefactions.
CAF has been involved in the development of the Jerusalem tram network for several years. In 2019, the TransJerusalem J-Net consortium (with equal stakes owned by CAF and Israeli company Shapir) was awarded a concession contract providing for the construction of a new line as well as extension of the existing route, which partially runs through disputed East Jerusalem. The project also includes the network operation and maintenance alongside the supply of 114 Urbos 100 trams and the refurbishment of 46 Alstom Citadis LRVs. The works are expected to complete in 2027.
For its part, CAF has not provided any public statements so far. Before that, in September 2025, the Spanish manufacturer was added to the UN blacklist for its involvement in the Jerusalem Light Rail project. The manufacturer was accused of exploiting natural resources for commercial purposes, supplying equipment and materials that contribute to the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements and the barrier separating Jerusalem from Arab neighbourhoods, and providing services, including transport, that support the maintenance and existence of settlements. Meanwhile, CAF has not experienced problems with contracts because of the blacklist yet.
