Pro-Palestinian activists infiltrate UK's RAF Brize Norton base, vandalise jets
Pro-Palestinian activists infiltrated Royal Air Force Brize Norton early morning on June 20, spraying red paint on two military aircraft.
Footage posted on social media by direct action group Palestine Action shows two individuals inside the secured Oxfordshire airbase. One activist is seen riding a scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker, appearing to spray paint into one of its jet engines.
BREAKING: Palestine Action break into RAF Brize Norton and damage two military aircrafts.
Flights depart daily from the base to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
From Cyprus, British planes collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets and transport weapons to commit genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/zzmFqGKW8NThe group claimed responsibility for the incursion and said it used repurposed fire extinguishers to deploy red paint onto the aircraft. It alleged that further damage was inflicted with crowbars, though no such actions are visible in the video released.
Footage shows the activists moving unchallenged across the airbase after breaching security.
In a statement published on its website, the group said: “From Akrotiri, the RAF has flown hundreds of surveillance missions in support of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The base is also used for UK and US military cargo transports to the Israeli military.”
UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has condemned as a serious act of vandalism.
RAF Brize Norton is the United Kingdom’s principal base for strategic air transport and refuelling operations, including support flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The activists cited the RAF’s involvement in aerial operations over Gaza from Cyprus as justification for their protest, stating that the targeted aircraft had been put "out of service".
Palestine Action, which has previously targeted arms companies and military infrastructure in relation to the conflict in Gaza, further said: “Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US and Israeli fighter jets.”
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an investigation is under way and that it is working closely with police authorities.
“Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain,” an MoD spokeswoman told BBC. “They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”
Thames Valley Police have not yet confirmed any arrests. RAF Brize Norton continues to operate, although the extent of damage to the affected aircraft has not been officially disclosed.