Four Pro-Palestinian Activists Charged with Damaging RAF Planes in High-Security Breach at Brize Norton

London, July 3, 2025 — Four pro-Palestinian activists remain in custody after being charged with damaging Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft in a dramatic protest at RAF Brize Norton, one of Britain’s most secure military bases.

The protesters, aged between 22 and 35, were brought before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. They face charges of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited site for purposes prejudicial to the UK’s interests. UK counterterrorism police confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will argue the offenses are linked to terrorism.

According to authorities and the activist group Palestine Action, two members gained access to the airbase on June 20 using electric scooters and targeted two RAF Voyager jets—used for air-to-air refuelling—by spraying red paint into the engines using repurposed fire extinguishers and inflicting additional damage with crowbars. The group later released footage of the incident on social media.

No pleas were entered during the initial court hearing. The accused are set to appear before the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) on July 18.

The high-profile breach has intensified political debate, with the UK government currently pushing legislation in Parliament to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. If passed, the law would make it a criminal offence to support or be associated with the group, carrying penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

Palestine Action, known for direct action campaigns targeting Israeli defense contractors in the UK, claims its protests are aimed at ending British complicity in Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The group said the RAF planes at Brize Norton are part of Britain’s supply chain supporting operations in the Middle East, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, a strategic UK base for missions in the region.

This incident adds to a growing list of actions by Palestine Action, whose supporters have disrupted operations at weapons factories and arms-linked institutions across the UK, drawing increasing legal and political scrutiny.