Two pro-Palestinian activists caused a major security breach at one of Britain’s key military airbases on Friday, June 20, 2025, vandalising Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft in protest over the UK’s role in the ongoing Gaza war.
The dramatic incident took place at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire — the largest RAF station in the UK.
According to Palestine Action, the group behind the protest, its members infiltrated the base and sabotaged two Voyager military aircraft used for aerial refuelling and troop transport.
Armed with red paint and crowbars, the activists poured paint into the aircraft engines, sprayed the fuselage, and damaged key components. A video shared by the group on X (formerly Twitter) showed one of the aircraft drenched in red, with a Palestinian flag laid beside the runway.
The activists claim the attack was a direct response to Britain’s military cooperation with Israel and the United States during the Gaza conflict.
“Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to refuel U.S. and Israeli warplanes, provide military aid, and conduct surveillance flights over Gaza,” the group said in a statement. “Britain is not neutral — it is an active participant in genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.”
The UK government reacted with outrage.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the act as “disgraceful vandalism,” and the Ministry of Defence issued a strong rebuke.
“Our Armed Forces put their lives on the line for this country,” the MoD said. “To attack them is to attack the very fabric of national service and duty.”
Authorities have launched an urgent investigation into how the activists bypassed base security and managed to access military-grade aircraft without detection.
Palestine Action, known for its high-profile stunts targeting UK firms linked to Israeli arms manufacturing, has vowed to continue its campaign until what it calls Britain’s “complicity in the Gaza genocide” ends.
No injuries were reported, but the damaged planes have been taken out of operation pending assessment.
As tensions in Gaza escalate, Britain now finds itself grappling not only with foreign policy criticism but with civil disobedience at home — and a protest movement that’s growing louder and more direct.