On the night of June 20, the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action carried out a daring action at the largest Royal Air Force base in the UK, RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Two activists entered the base, damaging two Airbus Voyager tanker aircraft, which play a vital role in supporting British air operations. According to Reuters, the attackers used electric scooters to quickly move around the airfield, sprayed red paint on the planes' engines using modified fire extinguishers, and caused further damage with crowbars. Before leaving, they left a Palestinian flag on the runway, symbolizing protest against Israel's actions.

The activists were able to leave the base without being detained, the BBC reported, raising serious questions about the security of the facility, which houses around 5800 military personnel and 1500 civilian staff. The UK Ministry of Defence condemned the incident, calling it an “act of vandalism” and saying it was working with Thames Valley Police to investigate. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the activists’ actions “shameful” in a statement at X, highlighting the contribution the armed forces make to protecting the country.

Palestine Action said the action was aimed at Britain's support for Israeli military operations. They said aircraft from RAF Brize Norton regularly fly to Akrotiri in Cyprus to "supply weapons and carry out intelligence for Israel". The group claimed Britain was "an active accomplice to the genocide in Gaza". However, Sky News clarified that an RAF source said the aircraft were not used to support Israeli operations and that the activists' allegations showed "a lack of understanding of the RAF's function".

The incident has caused widespread public outcry. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called on X to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, calling the attack a threat to national security. Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has called for a complete review of security measures at military installations.

This is not the first action by Palestine Action. According to The Telegraph, a few days before the incident in Oxfordshire, the group attacked the site of the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems in Kent, where activists damaged a warehouse and destroyed equipment. Since the start of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, which has claimed the lives of more than 55 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, Palestine Action has stepped up its actions against companies and sites linked to Israel.

The context of the conflict remains complex. According to Al Jazeera, tensions in the region have increased since Israeli strikes on Iran began on June 13, leading to retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The UK, with bases in Cyprus, plays a role in regional operations, making it a target for pro-Palestinian activists. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is in Geneva for talks with Iran and European partners, has called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.