IRELAND: Dublin's Luas light rail system became embroiled in the Middle East conflict yesterday with claim and counter-claim about contacts between the operating company, Veolia (formerly known as Connex) and its Israeli counterpart.
A spokesman for the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) claimed that Veolia Transport Ireland had called off plans to train Israeli personnel to operate a similar system in East Jerusalem, the disputed Palestinian sector of the city, following trade union protests inspired by the IPSC.
A Veolia Transport Ireland spokeswoman confirmed there had been three visits to Dublin in the last 18 months by delegations of Israeli engineers and consultants involved in setting up the Jerusalem light rail system.
She added that these contacts had been halted "for operational reasons" and not as a result of any trade union objections.
The Luas depot at the Red Cow roundabout is currently being extended and maintenance personnel are to be trained to drive the vehicles in the depot area. "Therefore we are not in a position to facilitate another visit for the foreseeable future," the spokeswoman said. This was "nothing to do with Siptu objections", although she confirmed that the union, which represents Luas drivers, had been in contact with Veolia's senior management on the issue.
The Israelis had "put in a request for systems knowledge and driver training" but this was not possible under present circumstances. There was no contract between the two sides.
The IPSC spokesman gave a different version of events. He said: "The IPSC had learned that a delegation from Israel was in Dublin last month to inspect the Luas. An arrangement was proposed, whereby Israeli engineers were due to train on the Luas system next month, with a view to then operating the illegal tramline [ in East Jerusalem]. A contract for this deal was being finalised.
"The IPSC informed Siptu and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) of what they termed 'unconscionable direct Irish assistance to Israel's illegal occupation'. The unions responded promptly, since, just last month, Ictu passed a motion with a call that 'economic sanctions be imposed on Israel until all IDF forces and illegal settlements are removed from the occupied territories'. After being contacted by union representatives, Veolia's senior management quickly cancelled the proposed training."
The IPSC spokesman added: "This is a small but significant victory for the Palestinian right to self-determination."
Another branch of the Veolia group is part of the consortium setting up the Jerusalem light rail system which will link the controversial Israeli settlements with the Israeli side of the city.
The IPSC called on Minister for Transport Martin Cullen to cancel Veolia's contract "unless they cease building this illegal tramline on occupied Palestinian territory".