The Prime Minister has said it is “disgraceful” that pro-Palestinian activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, damaging two military aircraft.
The campaign group Palestine Action said two of its activists entered the Brize Norton base and used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers, before causing further damage with crowbars.
The Prime Minister said in a post on X: “The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day.
“It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”
Palestine Action shared alleged footage on social media on Monday showing two activists on scooters whizzing through the airbase.
The clip showed one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine.
"Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets," a spokesperson for Palestine Action said in a statement.
"Britain isn’t just complicit, it’s an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.
“By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.”
RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
In response, the Ministry of Defence said: "We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating.
"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 is among groups that have regularly targeted defence firms and other companies in Britain linked to Israel since the start of the conflict in Gaza.
"The targeted planes are Airbus Voyagers, which can carry military cargo and are used to refuel Israeli/US/UK military aircrafts and fighter jets," its statement said.
Commentators called it an “embarrassing” breach of security at the base.
Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, told the Times: “In a war, sabotage will be a risk and bases like Brize Norton represent critical points in our system.”
Mark Francois, shadow armed forces minister, said there were “serious questions for the Ministry of Defence to answer about how “protesters, who might even have turned out to be armed terrorists, were able to gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase”.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage.
“An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton.
“Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible.”
