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Masked attackers in Basque region of Spain vandalize light rail trains destined for Israel

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Masked attackers vandalized six light rail trains in Spain's Basque region, damaging windows and spraying them with paint.
  • The group claimed responsibility, stating they acted because the trains were marked in Hebrew and destined for Tel Aviv.
  • This incident follows a complaint filed against the train manufacturer, CAF, for its involvement in projects in the West Bank.

Six light rail trains manufactured by the Spanish company CAF were vandalized in Spain's Basque region, with attackers smashing windows and spraying them with red paint. The incident, which occurred in early June, is expected to delay the trains' delivery to Israel, where they were reportedly destined for Tel Aviv.

We discovered where CAF stores the trams that are heading to Tel Aviv, because they were marked in Hebrew, and faced with that, we did not remain passive.

— Group claiming responsibilityStatement explaining the motive behind the vandalism.

A group calling itself "Palestinarekin" (Solidarity with Palestine) claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group said they discovered the trains stored in the Navarre region, identified by Hebrew markings, and "did not remain passive." Israel's Metropolitan Mass Transit System (NTA) confirmed the incident, stating that CAF had informed them of the vandalism and damage to several carriages intended for the Purple Line.

The NTA stated that CAF is handling the repairs and that the damage will not impact the Purple Line project's progress. However, the incident occurs amid ongoing controversy surrounding CAF's involvement in Jerusalem light rail projects. In September 2025, CAF was listed in a UN report for activities raising "human rights concerns" in the West Bank due to its role in constructing and extending tram lines in Jerusalem.

during which several carriages intended for the Purple Line were painted with anti-Israeli slogans and several windows were damaged.

— Israel’s Metropolitan Mass Transit System (NTA) spokespersonConfirmation of the incident and the nature of the damage.

CAF has previously acknowledged the "complex legal and ethical implications" of the Jerusalem Project, particularly concerning International Humanitarian Law, and stated it conducted due diligence. The company also noted that the Arab community constitutes a significant portion of tram users. In April 2026, a coalition of organizations filed a complaint against CAF in Spain's National Court, accusing the company of aiding the "occupation of Palestine."

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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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