Pro-Palestinian protesters broke into RAF Brize Norton airbase and painted two military planes red. The activists jumped security fences and sprayed paint into jet engines during the nighttime attack. Palestine Action shared videos showing people using scooters to reach the aircraft at the Oxfordshire base. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the break-in disgraceful and an act of vandalism. Defense officials said they would review security at military bases across Britain.
The group claimed they put air refueling tankers out of service through their actions. RAF engineers checked the damage but sources said operations would continue as normal. Palestine Action said Britain helps Israel despite condemning the government publicly. The activists used fire extinguishers filled with red paint and crowbars to damage equipment. Thames Valley Police started investigating the criminal damage and trespassing.
Security experts called the breach extremely worrying for national defense. The large airbase has perimeter fences, cameras, sensors and guard checkpoints around it. Defense sources admitted these measures cannot cover every part of the massive facility completely. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said this was politically motivated crime rather than lawful protest. Politicians demanded answers about how protesters entered what should be a secure military installation.
The group claimed they put air refueling tankers out of service through their actions. RAF engineers checked the damage but sources said operations would continue as normal. Palestine Action said Britain helps Israel despite condemning the government publicly. The activists used fire extinguishers filled with red paint and crowbars to damage equipment. Thames Valley Police started investigating the criminal damage and trespassing.
Security experts called the breach extremely worrying for national defense. The large airbase has perimeter fences, cameras, sensors and guard checkpoints around it. Defense sources admitted these measures cannot cover every part of the massive facility completely. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said this was politically motivated crime rather than lawful protest. Politicians demanded answers about how protesters entered what should be a secure military installation.
