Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is planning to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation after this morning’s break-in at RAF Brize Norton, media outlets are reporting.
Cooper is preparing a written ministerial statement which would make becoming a member of the group illegal.
The statement is expected on Monday and will then need to be enacted through new legislation.
Following the news, Palestine Action tweeted: “We represent every individual who opposes the Israeli war machine. We represent every person that believes Palestinians are worth more than the tools used to kill them. We represent every person who stands for Palestinian liberation. If they want to ban us, they ban us all.”
Earlier today, the pro-Palestinian activists targeted RAF Brize Norton today and damaged two military aircraft.
They used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers and caused further damage using crowbars.
Red paint – symbolising Palestinian bloodshed – was also sprayed across the runway. Both activists managed to evade security and arrest.
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After the operation, Palestine Action said: “By putting the planes out of service, activists have interrupted Britain’s direct participation in the commission of genocide and war crimes across the Middle East. From Akrotiri, the RAF have flown hundreds of surveillance missions in support of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and the base is also used for UK and U.S. military cargo transports to the Israeli military.
“In a speech to troops at Akrotiri in December 2024, Keir Starmer hailed the troops’ efforts while stating that ‘Quite a bit of what goes on here can’t necessarily be talked about… we can’t necessarily tell the world what you’re doing.’ By this point, Israel had massacred tens of thousands in Gaza, the Akrotiri base had been used to collected up-to 1,000 hours of reconnaissance footage over the Strip in assistance of Israel.”
On the other hand, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the action as “disgraceful”, saying that it was an “act of vandalism.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for Palestine Action to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
An MoD spokeswoman said: “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.”
Palestine Action formed in 2020 and engages in direct action to disrupt the operations of companies and institutions they believe are complicit in Israeli actions against Palestinians, particularly targeting arms manufacturers like Elbit Systems.
Their civil disobedience tactics include trespassing, vandalism, and supply chain disruptions, such as breaking into facilities, damaging equipment, and occupying sites.
They’ve conducted over 500 operations since their founding, often accusing the UK of complicity in genocide in Gaza.
Supporters view them as a bold resistance against injustices, while critics, including UK officials, condemn their methods as “disgraceful” vandalism and “extremist,” arguing they undermine national security.
More to follow…
