Pro-Palestinian activists break into U.K.'s largest air base
Pro-Palestinian activists broke into the U.K.'s largest air force base in southeast England and vandalised two planes in an act condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "disgraceful" on Friday (June 20, 2025).
"The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful," Mr. Starmer said on X after campaign group Palestine Action posted a video claiming to show its activist breaking into the Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire.
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. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 20, 2025
In the video posted on X, the activists appear to spray a plane with red paint while roaming the base on scooters.
"Palestine Action break into RAF Brize Norton and damage two military aircrafts," claimed the group, which has been behind several stunts protesting the UK's role in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
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"We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating," the Ministry of Defence said.
Local police said they launched an investigation into reports of "criminal damage" and a break-in.
RAF Brize Norton serves as a hub for air-to-air refuelling forces and supports overseas operations, including flights to the RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Britain's largest air force base in the Middle East.
According to British media, one of the planes vandalised was an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker.
"Despite publicly condemning the Israeli Government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets," Palestine Action said in a statement.
"Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East." Last month, the group claimed responsibility for vandalising a US military aircraft in Ireland.
Starmer's Labour government suspended around 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel last September, citing a "risk" they could be used in violations of international law.
But the UK continues to supply components for F-35 fighter jets to a global pool that Israel is able to access.
Israel has repeatedly denied allegations that it is committing a genocide in Gaza during its 20-month-long military campaign following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023.
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