Pro-Palestine activists from the group Palestine Action have broken into RAF Brize Norton, the United Kingdom's largest Royal Air Force base, and damaged two military aircraft in a dramatic protest against British military involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, has sparked widespread condemnation and raised serious security concerns.
Footage shared by Palestine Action on Friday, June 20, 2025, shows two protesters riding electric scooters across the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The activists used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft, symbolizing "Palestinian bloodshed," according to the group. They also inflicted further damage using crowbars and spread red paint across the runway. A Palestinian flag was left at the scene before the activists escaped undetected.
Palestine Action justified their actions by linking the base to British military operations in the Middle East. They claimed that flights depart daily from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, from where British planes collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets, and transport weapons used in Gaza and other regional conflicts. The group stated, "By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people." They further accused Britain of being "an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East."
However, these claims were swiftly challenged by defence sources and the RAF. A senior RAF official described the attack as "utterly pointless," emphasizing that the targeted Airbus Voyager aircraft are primarily used to support Operation Shader, the UK's ongoing counter-Daesh (ISIS) mission in Iraq and Syria, and are not involved in Israeli military operations. "The UK operates independently and Israel has no requirement for British tankers — they operate their own fleet," the source explained. The RAF also highlighted that one of the Voyager planes, painted with a Union flag, has previously transported prime ministers and members of the Royal family to official engagements abroad.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) condemned the vandalism in strong terms. A spokesperson 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." Thames Valley Police confirmed receiving a report of the breach and criminal damage at RAF Brize Norton and launched an investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Political leaders also weighed in on the incident. Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, described the act as "disgraceful" in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "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." The Prime Minister echoed these sentiments, condemning the vandalism and praising the dedication of the UK's military personnel.
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois raised serious questions about security at the base, especially given the recent tragic loss of an Air India 787 aircraft. He said, "After the recent tragic loss of the Air India 787, any attempt to interfere with the engines of a large aircraft, particularly one which might ferry troops and their families, or be involved in vital air-to-air refuelling missions, is totally reprehensible. There are also serious questions for the MoD to answer about how ‘protesters’ – who might even have turned out to be armed terrorists – were able to gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase." The breach has indeed raised alarms about security protocols at RAF Brize Norton and other military installations across the UK.
RAF Brize Norton is home to approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff, and 1,200 contractors. It hosts the RAF's Air Mobility Force, which includes strategic and tactical air transport and air-to-air refuelling. The base provides rapid global mobility in support of UK overseas operations and exercises, as well as UK Homeland Defence. The Voyager aircraft, described as "petrol stations in the sky," can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and are critical for refuelling fighter jets and compatible heavy aircraft during overseas missions.
Palestine Action has a history of targeting British institutions to protest the UK's role in the Gaza conflict. In October 2023, the group sprayed red paint on the BBC's London headquarters, again symbolizing Palestinian civilian casualties and criticizing the broadcaster's coverage of the conflict. The group has also published a list of 50 British buildings and companies they accuse of complicity in Israel's arms trade, particularly targeting Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturer operating in the UK.
The protest at RAF Brize Norton comes amid increasing international scrutiny of Israel's military actions in Gaza, ongoing aid shortages in the territory, and concerns about a potential new large-scale offensive. The UK government has taken steps to pressure Israel, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy's pause on trade deal negotiations with Israel in May 2025. Additionally, leaders from the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement warning Israeli leaders about the risk of breaching International Humanitarian Law and calling for increased aid access to Gaza.
Despite the activists' claims, defence experts reiterate that RAF Brize Norton's operations are focused on supporting UK and allied missions unrelated to Israeli military activities. The incident, while politically charged, highlights the complexities of military operations and the challenges of security at critical defence installations. It also underscores the passionate activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the lengths to which some protesters will go to make their voices heard.
As investigations continue, the RAF and Ministry of Defence remain focused on assessing the damage, enhancing security, and ensuring that such breaches do not recur. The incident has not only caused physical damage to valuable military assets but has also ignited a broader conversation about military transparency, activism, and the UK's role in global conflicts.
