Security Review Initiated Following RAF Brize Norton Breach by Pro-Palestinian Activists
Following a security breach at RAF Brize Norton by pro-Palestinian activists, a review of security measures is underway, with calls for a ban on the group.
UK air force base infiltrated by Palestinian protesters
Washington Examiner
Overview
- Pro-Palestinian activists breached security at RAF Brize Norton, damaging military aircraft with red paint and crowbars.
- The activists used fire extinguishers to spray paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyager planes.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the vandalism as 'disgraceful' and called for a potential ban on the Palestine Action group.
- British authorities are investigating the incident and reviewing security measures at military bases across the UK.
- Despite the damage caused, no planned aircraft movements or operations were disrupted during the incident.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the incident as a serious security breach, emphasizing condemnation from political leaders and law enforcement responses. The language used suggests a bias against the activists, portraying their actions as disgraceful vandalism, while focusing on the implications for national security and law enforcement rather than the activists' motivations.
Thames Valley Police received a report of individuals accessing RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage.
Articles (9)
"…The pro-Palestine group that broke into RAF Brize Norton sparking a major security review is expected to be banned by the government next week in a move which will anger campaigners."
The Guardian·4d·"…The group accused the UK of being “an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East."
The Guardian·4d·"…Pro-Palestine activists breached security at a UK airbase and vandalised a military plane, spraying red paint into its engine."
Al Jazeera·4d·"…Pro-Palestinian activists have broken into a Royal Air Force base in central England and claimed to have damaged two military aircraft to protest against the UK government’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza."
Al Jazeera·4d·"…The incident raises wider questions as to how the activists – who have not been apprehended – managed to get into the airbase undetected."
CNN·4d·"…Pro-Palestinian activists broke into a Royal Air Force Base and damaged two planes with red paint."
Associated Press·4d·"…The home secretary will move to proscribe the Palestine Action group in the coming weeks, effectively branding them as a terrorist organisation, the BBC understands."
BBC News·4d·"…The British government is launching an investigation into pro-Palestinian protesters who successfully infiltrated a military base and damaged aircraft."
Washington Examiner·4d·"…The air base is a legally protected place in British law and is heavily guarded, leaving serious questions asked about the state of its defence given two activists on e-scooters were able to cause damage undetected."
Breitbart News·4d·FAQ
The Palestine Action group is set to be banned after its activists breached security at RAF Brize Norton, damaging two military aircraft by spraying red paint into the engines and causing other damage. The group is planned to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation, making membership or support illegal, following condemnation by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and ongoing investigations by counter-terror police.
The activists broke into RAF Brize Norton using electric scooters to approach two Airbus Voyager planes. They sprayed red paint into the turbine engines using repurposed fire extinguishers, caused damage with crowbars, sprayed red paint symbolizing Palestinian bloodshed across the runway, and left a Palestine flag at the scene.
The UK government is conducting a security review of military bases after the breach. The Home Secretary is preparing a written ministerial statement to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group, which would criminalize involvement with the group and enable seizure of its assets. Counter-terror police are leading the investigation along with other law enforcement agencies.
RAF Brize Norton is the largest air force base in Britain and serves as a launch point for flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which is used for military operations in Gaza and the Middle East. It supports surveillance missions and military cargo transport, including assistance to Israeli military actions.
Despite the damage to the aircraft, no planned aircraft movements or operations were disrupted during the incident at RAF Brize Norton.
History
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