Pro-Palestinian Activists Break Into RAF Base and Vandalize Military Aircraft
Two activists from Palestine Action broke into RAF Brize Norton , the UK’s largest airbase, on Wednesday, damaging two Airbus Voyager aircraft. Video from Palestine Action shows them using electric scooters and spraying red paint - symbolizing "Palestinian blood" - into the planes’ engines with repurposed fire extinguishers. They also reportedly used crowbars to cause further damage. Video footage shows them freely roaming the base before escaping undetected, leaving a Palestinian flag behind.
The group claims their actions targeted British support for Israeli military operations in Gaza, stating: "By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened to break the chains of oppression." However, defence sources have refuted these claims, clarifying that the RAF Voyagers primarily support Operation Shader against ISIS, not Israeli forces. The Ministry of Defence condemned the act as "vandalism of Royal Air Force assets" and confirmed an ongoing police investigation.
The breach has sparked widespread criticism and concerns over national security. Shadow Defence Minister Mark Francois called it “totally reprehensible,” while former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps labeled it a "national security breach." Questions are now being raised about how activists accessed a high-security base designated under national security laws, where criminal trespass carries serious penalties.
