A LABOUR MP has called for the campaign group Palestine Action to be banned under terrorism laws for invading an RAF base and vandalising a plane.
Backbencher David Taylor, who previously unsuccessfully campaigned for Kneecap to be banned from Glastonbury, made the call after a break-in at RAF Brize Norton.
Palestine Action members sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager on Thursday evening and said they used crowbars to further damage the planes.
It is believed that one of the aircraft targeted is the UK’s official VIP jet, used to ferry prime ministers and royals to official visits.
Taylor insisted he supported the “right to peaceful protest” but added: “Palestine Action has long since crossed the line into criminality. Their latest alleged activity, breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging military aircraft, is not protest, it’s sabotage. You cannot attack UK military assets.
“This group have engaged in illegal activity: smashing into defence sites, vandalising property, and disrupting key infrastructure. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a coordinated campaign of unlawful direct action.”
Palestine Action hit back saying: "The terrorists are the ones committing a genocide, not those who break the tools used to commit it."
Palestine Action have vandalised the premises of numerous businesses linked with the Israeli military.
Last month, a case against activists for blocking access to Elbit’s Instro Precision weapons factory in Kent was thrown out at Margate Magistrates Court.
Elbit is a key target of the group because the firm is a key supplier of the Israeli military.
Taylor (above) added: “It is time for the government to take a firmer stance. I believe Palestine Action should now be considered for proscription under the Terrorism Act. We cannot allow groups who glorify and incite violence to operate unchecked under the guise of activism.”
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: "Under Section 1 of the Genocide Convention, Britain is obliged to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. Instead of doing that, the state is actively involved in assisting the commission of genocide through military and diplomatic support.
"On top of that, Israeli weapons factories operate across Britain building weapons which are marketed as 'battle-tested' on Palestinians. Palestine Action engage in direct action to break the links in the genocidal supply chain.
"When our government fails to uphold their moral and legal obligations, it is the responsibility of ordinary citizens to take direct action."
Groups proscribed under the Terrorism Act include Hamas and Hezbollah.
Declaring support for a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act.
Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh – known by the stage name Mo Chara – appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court earlier this week charged with an offence under the act after allegedly flying a Hezbollah flag at a concert.
He was released on unconditional bail with his lawyers arguing that the alleged offence took place outside the six-month window required to fall under the court’s jurisdiction.
