Palestine Action activists STILL on the run after ‘disgraceful’ attack that saw them spray red paint into engines and attack planes with CROWBARS
COUNTER-TERRORISM police have taken over the investigation into a shocking security breach at Britain’s largest RAF base after pro-Palestinian activists rode e-scooters onto the runway and sabotaged two military aircraft.
The brazen raiders from Palestine Action remain at large after infiltrating RAF Brize Norton in the early hours of Friday morning, spraying red paint into the engines of two Voyager jets and attacking them with crowbars before escaping undetected.
Now Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) has taken over the lead from Thames Valley Police as pressure mounts for the activist group to be banned as a terrorist organisation.
FARAGE AND JENRICK DEMAND BAN
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and Reform leader Nigel Farage have led calls for Palestine Action to be proscribed following the attack.
Palestine Action must be proscribed as a terrorist organisation after the attack on RAF planes at Brize Norton,” declared Farage.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the incident as “deeply concerning,” adding: “This is not lawful protest, it is politically-motivated criminality.
Labour MP David Taylor went further, telling the Jewish Chronicle that Palestine Action “should now be considered for proscription under the Terrorism Act.
SHOCKING FOOTAGE REVEALS BREACH
Astonishing footage released by the activists shows them riding electric scooters across the runway in darkness before attacking the multi-million pound aircraft.
The 34-second video shows them spraying red paint – which they claim symbolises “Palestinian bloodshed” – into the engines of the Voyager aircraft using repurposed fire extinguishers.
They also used crowbars to cause further damage before leaving a Palestinian flag at the scene and escaping without being caught.
COUNTER-TERROR COPS TAKE CHARGE
A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed: “An incident at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire is now being investigated by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East.
“In the early hours of today offenders gained entry to the site and caused criminal damage to aircraft.
Specialist counter terrorism officers are working closely with officers from Thames Valley Police and the Ministry of Defence Police.
Police urged anyone with information to call 101, quoting reference 43250305575.
PM CONDEMNS ‘DISGRACEFUL’ ATTACK
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the attack “disgraceful,” saying: “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.”
Defence Secretary John Healey ordered an immediate security review, saying he was “really disturbed” by the breach.
“I have ordered an investigation and a review of wider security at our bases,” he said. These aircraft are used by our military personnel to support security and peace around the world.
FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT AIRCRAFT
Palestine Action claimed the aircraft were involved in supporting Israeli military operations in Gaza, but defence sources dismissed this as “totally inaccurate.
An RAF source told the UK Defence Journal: “This attack was utterly pointless. The aircraft targeted are not used in support of Israeli forces. The UK operates independently and Israel has no requirement for British tankers – they operate their own fleet.
The Voyager aircraft are primarily used for transporting troops and supporting Operation Shader, the UK’s mission against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
MASSIVE SECURITY FAILURE
The breach has raised serious questions about security at one of Britain’s most important military installations, which houses approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.
A senior military source told LBC: “This represents a shocking indictment of our armed forces’ current state and manpower capabilities. At a time when the country should be operating on a war footing, the security arrangements at one of our most high-profile airbases appear to be virtually non-existent.
Local MP Robert Courts said: “We need to establish how this happened and what can be done in future to make sure no further breaches occur. These reported actions were stupid and dangerous.”
ACTIVISTS BOAST OF ‘DIRECT INTERVENTION’
Palestine Action boasted about the attack on social media, claiming: “By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.
The group’s statement continued: “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.”
NOT THE FIRST TIME
This is not the first time Palestine Action has targeted military or defence-related sites. The group has previously engaged in what critics describe as a “coordinated campaign of unlawful direct action.”
Labour MP Luke Akehurst condemned their actions, saying: “The right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy but this right does not extend to activities that promote violence or criminal damage.
URGENT SECURITY REVIEW
The vulnerability of RAF bases was recently flagged in the Strategic Defence Review, which warned: “The changing nature of the threat to UK and Allied Security means that RAF logistic support arrangements must be more resilient to disruption and military assault.
The Ministry of Defence strongly condemned the “vandalism of Royal Air Force assets” and confirmed they were working closely with police.
As the manhunt continues for the activists who carried out this brazen attack, questions remain about how two people on e-scooters managed to breach one of Britain’s most important military installations and cause significant damage before escaping without trace.
