LONDON (AP) — British police are actively pursuing suspects following a significant act of vandalism at a Royal Air Force Base. Pro-Palestinian activists, identifying themselves as members of Palestine Action, successfully infiltrated RAF Brize Norton, where they caused damage to two Voyager jets, critical for air-to-air refueling operations, using red paint and tools like crowbars.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, where two individuals managed to enter the base on electric scooters. They approached the Voyager aircraft and utilized repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the engines, capturing footage of one individual performing the act. Remarkably, the activists left the military base without being apprehended.
Palestine Action released a statement asserting that while Britain publicly denounces the Israeli government, it continues to support military actions contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They described the U.K. as “an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.” This stance has been a point of contention amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The UK Ministry of Defense condemned the vandalism as unacceptable, reaffirming the seriousness of the act against Royal Air Force assets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, labeling the vandalism as "disgraceful" in a post shared on the social media platform X.
Following the incident, the government confirmed that the two damaged aircraft are undergoing thorough checks to assess the extent of the vandalism, although officials noted that scheduled aircraft operations were not disrupted. Furthermore, a comprehensive security review is being conducted at RAF Brize Norton along with a wider assessment across the entire defense estate.
RAF Brize Norton, located approximately 70 miles (112 kilometers) northwest of London, is essential for British missions in the Middle East, frequently facilitating flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the primary air base handling operations in that region. In light of escalated tensions due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, the U.K. has increased deployments of Typhoon fighter jets and Voyager tankers to Cyprus for what has been described as “contingency support.”
Iran has issued warnings regarding potential attacks on U.S., French, and British bases if these countries extend support to Israel in the current military context. The ever-increasing complexity of international relations surrounding the ongoing conflict has amplified the scrutiny placed on military operations and their implications globally.
Thames Valley Police have announced they are investigating the breach at RAF Brize Norton, confirming that they have received reports of the unauthorized access and ensuing criminal damage. Officers are collaborating with the base's personnel and the Ministry of Defense Police to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for this serious offense.
