Labour MP calls for RAF break in group to be banned under terror law

Backbencher David Taylor, who previously unsuccessfully campaigned for Kneecap to be banned from Glastonbury, made the call after a break-in at RAF Brize Norton.
Palestine Action members sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager on Thursday evening and said they used crowbars to further damage the planes.
It is believed that one of the aircraft targeted is the UK's official VIP jet, used to ferry prime ministers and royals to official visits.
Taylor insisted he supported the 'right to peaceful protest' but added: 'Palestine Action has long since crossed the line into criminality. Their latest alleged activity, breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging military aircraft, is not protest, it's sabotage. You cannot attack UK military assets.
READ MORE: UK's 'Union flag plane damaged' in pro-Palestine RAF break-in
'This group have engaged in illegal activity: smashing into defence sites, vandalising property, and disrupting key infrastructure. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a coordinated campaign of unlawful direct action.'
Palestine Action have vandalised the premises of numerous businesses linked with the Israeli military.
Last month, a case against activists for blocking access to Elbit's Instro Precision weapons factory in Kent was thrown out at Margate Magistrates Court.
Elbit is a key target of the group because the firm is a key supplier of the Israeli military.
Taylor (above) added: 'It is time for the government to take a firmer stance. I believe Palestine Action should now be considered for proscription under the Terrorism Act. We cannot allow groups who glorify and incite violence to operate unchecked under the guise of activism.'
Groups proscribed under the Terrorism Act include Hamas and Hezbollah.
Declaring support for a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act.
READ MORE: UK Government urged to publish legal advice on joining war on Iran
Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh – known by the stage name Mo Chara – appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court earlier this week charged with an offence under the act after allegedly flying a Hezbollah flag at a concert.
He was released on unconditional bail with his lawyers arguing that the alleged offence took place outside the six-month window required to fall under the court's jurisdiction.
Palestine Action was approached for comment.

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Daily Mirror

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Race to stop WW3 amid fears Israel-Iran conflict could spread as bombs rain down

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In New York Israeli ambassador Danny Danon hit back at his Iranian counterpart furiously that Tehran had a regime that chants: 'Death to Israel, death to America, death to England and Israel is stopping this.' And he said Tehran had 'lied to the International Energy Agency.' He added: 'While the Ayatollah shouts death to America and death Israel many here ignored it. This hypocrisy would allow Iran to get as far as it has,' in its nuclear programme. He added: 'It allowed Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militia in Iraq.' ‌ Earlier Iranian bombs hit multiple cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba and Negev, sending locals diving for cover and causing grey smoke in the air above communities. It is believed Tehran's latest onslaught included as many as 39 missiles and at least one of the weapons may have been a cluster bomb. In one attack the city of Beersheba was hit by multiple impacts indicating that Tehran may be using ballistic missile carrying cluster weapons. 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Times

2 hours ago

• Times

Palestine Action group shows no signs of slowing down

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The Independent

2 hours ago

• The Independent

Two Middle East-related protests to be held in central London on Saturday

Protesters are set to rally at two high-profile demonstrations in central London on Saturday over flaring conflicts in the Middle East, the Metropolitan Police said. A protest organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner will gather in Russell Square from 12pm, before marching to Whitehall via Aldwych and the Strand for an assembly outside Downing Street. Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and musician Paloma Faith are among those set to give speeches at the assembly. Meanwhile, a static counter-protest organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate will be held at the same time just north of Waterloo Bridge at the junction with the Strand. The group said it would meet at the location from 12.30pm onwards. Police have set out conditions for the first protest under the Public Order Act which demands that any person taking part in the procession must remain within Russell Square ahead of the protest and must not deviate from its specified route. Demonstrators must then stay in a specified part of Whitehall for the assembly, which must finish by 5.30pm, the force said. The Palestine Coalition is comprised of a number of different groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Stop The War. Stop The War said in an advertisement for the event on its website: 'Israel's attacks on Gaza and the West Bank are intensifying. Their starvation policy continues. And now Israel attacks on Iran seem intended to lead us into a full-scale war in the Middle East. 'The UK Government has at last accepted that Israel's actions in Gaza are unconscionable. Now they must act – words are not enough.' Discussions are ongoing regarding possible conditions for the Stop The Hate protest, the Met said. In a post on X, Stop The Hate said: 'Our families in Israel are under attack: standing bravely in the face of threats and ballistic missiles, whilst the people of Iran are bravely facing down their totalitarian government — now it's our turn to stand proudly in solidarity with them.' The demonstrations come after reports on Friday that the Home Secretary will ban Palestine Action after the group vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, after footage posted online showed two people inside the RAF base, with one appearing to spray paint into an aircraft's jet engine. PSC described the move on social media as 'outrageous', while the Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the news, saying: 'Nobody should be surprised that those who vandalised Jewish premises with impunity have now been emboldened to sabotage RAF jets.'