UK to Ban Palestine Action as Terrorist Organization After RAF Base Attack

London, June 23, 2025 – The UK government announced plans to designate Palestine Action, a prominent pro-Palestinian protest group, as a terrorist organization following a high-profile attack on RAF Brize Norton, the country’s largest air force base. The move comes after activists infiltrated the Oxfordshire base last week and vandalized two Royal Air Force Airbus A330 MRTT refueling planes by spraying red paint into their engines, causing millions of pounds in damage.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the attack, calling it a “disgraceful” escalation in what she described as a “nationwide campaign of direct criminal action.” Cooper stated that a draft proscription order would be presented to Parliament on June 30. If approved, the ban would make membership or support for Palestine Action illegal, with potential prison sentences of up to 14 years. The group would join more than 80 organizations already designated as terrorist entities in the UK, including Islamic State, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

Palestine Action, founded in 2020, is known for targeting Israeli arms manufacturers such as Elbit Systems and engaging in acts of vandalism and property destruction to protest UK support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The group claimed responsibility for the Brize Norton attack, arguing it was intended to disrupt what it alleges is UK military support for Israel, including the refueling of US and Israeli jets. The Ministry of Defence has denied these allegations, stating the targeted aircraft are not compatible with Israeli jets and are used solely for British operations.

The government’s decision has sparked controversy and debate over the boundaries of protest and national security. Labour MP Apsana Begum called the move “unjustifiable,” warning it could threaten the right to protest. Palestine Action, meanwhile, described the police response to a solidarity demonstration in London—where at least 13 arrests were made—as “draconian,” and insisted that peaceful protest rights would remain unaffected by the ban.

Legal experts note the unprecedented nature of the decision. Jonathan Hall, the UK government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said this would be the first instance in Britain where a group was banned primarily for property damage rather than for committing or endorsing severe violence. He described the RAF base attack as a “tipping point” that brought the group’s activities into the realm of national security.

Thames Valley Police continue to investigate the incident at Brize Norton, and security at the base is under review. The draft order to proscribe Palestine Action is expected to be debated in Parliament next week.