Pro-Palestinian Activists Break Into Britain's Largest Air Base
In a startling breach of security, activists from a Pro-Palestinian group on Friday broke into Britain's largest air force base and damaged two aircraft in what they said was a protest against the country's military support for Israel.
The group, called Palestine Action, posted footage online showing two people using electric scooters to move around the base, R.A.F. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, which is used for overseas operations.
In a statement, Palestine Action said that two activists had sprayed red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers and damaged them with crowbars, as well as spraying more red paint on the runway to 'symbolize Palestinian bloodshed.' The group said that the two people who carried out the vandalism 'managed to evade security and arrest' during the incursion in the early hours of Friday morning.
Thames Valley Police, the force responsible for the area, said in a statement that officers were working with the Ministry of Defense and with the R.A.F. to investigate. Inquiries 'are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible,' the force noted.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defense said, 'We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating.'
The ministry did not immediately respond to a question on whether it would open a review of security at the site.
Britain's largest R.A.F. base, Brize Norton houses about 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff members and 1,200 contractors.
According to its official website, the base 'provides rapid global mobility in support of U.K. overseas operations and exercises,' as well as air-to-air support for jets, 'both on operations and in support of U.K. homeland defense.'
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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