Two RAF Jets Damaged by Activists at UK Airbase
At one of the UK’s supposedly most secure airfields, two logistics jets from the RAF sustained damage overnight due to actions from Palestinian activists, who managed to evade capture.
This left-wing direct action group has been orchestrating a campaign of sabotage against Israel-related supply lines since the attacks on October 7th. They have claimed responsibility for the incident at RAF Brize Norton, where two individuals broke in, causing damage with painted fire extinguishers and leaving symbols on the runway, all while hoisting a Palestinian flag without being seen.
The base is legally protected under British law, raising serious concerns about its security after these activists executed their plan unnoticed. Group Captain Louise Henton, the commander at RAF Brize Norton, opted to deactivate her X account at the news of the breach.
The Prime Minister condemned the attack as “disgraceful” and urged public support for the military. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense is set to review the airfield’s security measures. The investigation is being led by Thames Valley police.
Reports indicate that the damaged aircraft was an Airbus Voyager Jet, which is critical for air-to-air refueling and can transport up to 291 passengers and cargo, as well as critical patients.
Video evidence shared by the activists shows them using electric scooters to navigate the airfield quickly, spraying liquid from repurposed fire extinguishers onto the jet’s engines. They characterized their actions as a strike against military infrastructure, viewing it as part of a broader resistance.
According to British Defense Journal sources, these Voyager jets commonly serve in military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, it appears that overall operations at the base remained unaffected.
Historically, there’s concern that the situation reflects a larger escalation, hinting that Western leaders may soon back military action directed at Tehran. Notably, this surge in activism recalls past Cold War practices, where MI5 maintained a list of left-wing extremists to preemptively detain during potential conflicts.
Confidential documents suggest that during wartime transitions, MI5 would activate “organized smash mode,” swiftly detaining known activists, a practice that some believe might still have relevance today. Since the October 7th attack, various activist groups, including those connected to Palestinian actions, have maintained a campaign of sabotage aimed at UK military supply chains.
These Palestinian activists have also recently claimed to have targeted US military aircraft linked to factories alleged to be supplying arms to Israel, emphasizing their commitment to disrupting the defense sector.
The urgency to halt UK arms exports to Israel has gained traction among left-leaning factions since the October 7th incident, leading to numerous protests and direct actions against British manufacturers. For instance, “free Palestine” activists made headlines for blocking the BAE system’s main avionics factory, which is involved in the F-35 project.
In another instance, activists in Glasgow caused significant damage at a factory, breaking in through the roof. A sheriff subsequently characterized their actions as destructive, impacting critical components for submarines.
Additionally, “Palestinian Action” activists broke into a Kent weapons factory, where they caused extensive damage. On a separate occasion, they attacked police with various weapons during another protest, showcasing a trend of aggressive actions against military infrastructure.
