Palestine Action to be banned after RAF base break in

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, is set to take action against the Palestine Action group in the near future, aiming to classify them as a terrorist organization, reports the BBC. Cooper is expected to present a written statement to Parliament on Monday, seeking approval to criminalize membership in the group. This move follows a security assessment at military bases nationwide, prompted by pro-Palestinian activists breaching RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and vandalizing two military planes with red paint.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denounced the incident as “disgraceful,” denoting it as an act of vandalism. South East counter-terrorism police, in collaboration with Thames Valley Police and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), are currently investigating the break-in. Footage released online by Palestine Action revealed individuals inside the airbase during the early hours of Friday, showcasing one individual spraying paint into the engine of an Airbus Voyager while riding a scooter.

Despite public condemnation of the Israeli government, Palestine Action criticized Britain for its military involvement, including sending cargo, operating spy planes over Gaza, and aiding US and Israeli fighter jets. The group claimed that their actions at RAF Brize Norton had rendered the air-to-air refuelling tankers inoperable. However, RAF engineers are assessing the extent of the damage, with initial reports suggesting no impact on operations. As Thames Valley Police continues its inquiries to locate the perpetrators, voices like Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick have called for the banning of Palestine Action.

Palestine Action has previously targeted arms companies in response to the conflict in Gaza, with notable incidents such as vandalizing a US military plane in Ireland. RAF Brize Norton plays a vital role in UK strategic air transport and refueling operations, facilitating flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and reconnaissance missions over Gaza. The group’s actions have sparked outrage among members of Parliament, raising concerns over security breaches and highlighting the need for stricter measures against such activities

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