Palestine Action Targets UK Military and Arms Industry in Escalating Pro-Palestinian Protests
London, June 21, 2025 – Pro-Palestinian activist network Palestine Action has intensified its campaign against UK-based arms suppliers to Israel, launching a series of high-profile direct actions targeting military installations and weapons manufacturers.
On Friday, two Palestine Action members infiltrated RAF Brize Norton, the UK’s largest airbase in Oxfordshire, damaging two Voyager military aircraft used for refueling and transport. The activists sprayed red paint into the planes’ engines and used crowbars to inflict further damage, leaving a Palestinian flag at the scene. Video footage shared by the group showed the activists riding electric scooters across the runway and applying paint to the aircraft turbines, symbolizing what they described as the bloodshed of Palestinians in Gaza.
Palestine Action accused the British government of complicity in Israeli military operations, stating, “Britain is not merely complicit; it is an active participant in the genocide in Gaza and war crimes throughout the Middle East”. The group claimed the targeted aircraft are involved in transporting military supplies and refueling jets used by Israel, the US, and the UK. However, the Ministry of Defence denied that RAF Voyagers supply or refuel Israeli forces.
The UK government responded with strong condemnation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “disgraceful” and “an act of vandalism”. The Ministry of Defence emphasized the dedication of the armed forces and pledged full cooperation with police investigations.
In response to the security breach, the Home Secretary is preparing to designate Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist organization, which would make any affiliation with the group illegal. A formal statement is expected in Parliament in the coming weeks, coinciding with a broader security review at UK military sites. Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation into the Brize Norton incident, and further legal action is anticipated.
Founded in 2020, Palestine Action is known for direct action tactics such as protests, occupations, and property damage, primarily targeting factories owned by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems. The group claims its activities have caused significant disruption to the UK arms industry and vows to continue its campaign, including training new activists for future actions.
Recent months have seen Palestine Action expand its operations internationally, with protests in France targeting Safran, another supplier of weaponry to Israel. The network’s escalating actions have prompted calls for new laws to curb their activities and have resulted in multiple court cases against activists across the UK.
As legal proceedings unfold and government scrutiny intensifies, Palestine Action’s campaign continues to draw attention to the UK’s role in the arms trade and its connection to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.