Two Pro-Palestinian activists from the group Palestine Action infiltrated RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Friday, causing significant damage to two Voyager aircraft used for mid-air refueling and military transport.
The perpetrators poured red paint into the engines and struck the planes with crowbars, while also defacing the runway with spray paint and leaving a Palestinian flag at the scene. The attack marks the latest escalation in UK-based protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which have increasingly targeted British defense infrastructure.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Palestine Action justified the vandalism by accusing the UK of being an “active participant in war crimes”.
The group alleged Britain continues to supply military cargo, operate surveillance flights over Gaza, and facilitate US-Israeli fighter jet refueling despite official criticism of Israel’s government. Video footage released by the activists shows them tampering with the £50 million aircraft at the strategic airbase, which serves as the RAF’s primary transport hub.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the incident as “disgraceful vandalism” amid heightened scrutiny of military base security nationwide. The Ministry of Defence confirmed an ongoing investigation, stating: “It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.” Authorities are reviewing protective measures at all UK defense installations following a surge in activist targeting of Israel-linked companies since Hamas’ October 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and sparked the current Gaza conflict.
The Brize Norton protest coincides with intensifying global criticism of Israel’s military operations, which Gaza’s health ministry claims have killed over 55,000 Palestinians and created catastrophic famine conditions.
While Israel is consistently denying genocide allegations, the UK activist network has expanded its campaign beyond arms factories to direct military infrastructure sabotage. Security analysts warn the Oxfordshire breach—despite occurring at one of Britain’s most secure airbases—signals a dangerous new phase in domestic protest tactics.
