Pro-Palestinian activists break into RAF base and vandalise planes
Pro-Palestinian activists have broken into an RAF base and sprayed two military planes with red paint.
Footage posted online by Palestine Action on Friday morning shows two people inside RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
The clip show one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine.
The incident was condemned by the Ministry of Defence who said the vandalism was being investigated by police.
The Prime Minister called it “disgraceful”.
A spokesman for the campaign group said: “Despite publicly condemning the Israeli Government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets.
“Britain isn’t just complicit, it’s an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.
“By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.”
RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating.
“Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain.
“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.”
Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: “The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful.
“Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day.
“It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage.
“An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton.
“Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible.”
