UK arrests 4 in crackdown on Palestine Action over RAF incursion
4 Min Read
As UK authorities escalate their crackdown on pro-Palestine activism, the arrest of four individuals sparks debate over civil liberties, anti-war protests, and the boundaries of state power.
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Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
UK counterterrorism authorities have arrested four individuals in connection with a break-in at RAF Brize Norton, reportedly carried out by members of Palestine Action. The incident, which took place last Friday, involved activists entering the Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire and spray painting on two military aircraft in protest against Britain’s support for "Israel" and its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
South East Counter Terrorism Police confirmed the arrests, stating that a 29-year-old woman without a fixed address, along with two men aged 36 and 24, were detained on "terrorism-related grounds". A fourth suspect, a 41-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of "assisting an offender."
Authorities said the three were being held under suspicion of committing, preparing, or instigating acts of terrorism, as defined under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Government crackdown on pro-Palestine activism
Following the arrests, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced her intention to designate Palestine Action as a proscribed organization under the UK’s Terrorism Act. If implemented, the designation would make it illegal to support, join, or promote the group, an escalation that has drawn concern from human rights advocates and civil liberties organizations.
Make it make sense pic.twitter.com/S5oo2DrNV6
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 25, 2025
On the same day, hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square to express solidarity with the group, warning against the criminalization of activism aimed at opposing the UK’s complicity in supplying weapons to "Israel".
In response, Palestine Action issued a statement via X, condemning the government's treatment of the protest. “Despite us not being proscribed, the state is treating red paint on warplanes as an act of terrorism,” the group stated. I
t further revealed that the arrested activists were being held in solitary confinement without charge for several days.
Crowds in Manchester filled the streets for an emergency demonstration, showing strong solidarity with Palestine Action amid the government's push to possibly proscribe the group. pic.twitter.com/CRe2OjAUMz
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) June 26, 2025
Authorities moved quickly to suppress related demonstrations, dispersing planned rallies outside Parliament and pushing protesters into Trafalgar Square. Several arrests were made, with the Metropolitan Police citing public order risks. Meanwhile, counter-terrorism police have launched a broader security review across UK military installations.
Wider context
Palestine Action, founded in 2020 by British-Palestinian activist Huda Ammori and co-founder Richard Barnard, is known for its confrontational yet non-lethal tactics aimed at arms companies tied to "Israel's" military-industrial complex. Previous campaigns have led to the temporary shutdown of Elbit Systems-linked factories in Oldham and Tamworth, as well as disrupted contracts with Israeli weapons suppliers.
Legal experts have raised doubts about whether Palestine Action meets the statutory requirements for proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000, which include posing a real threat to national security or British citizens. Critics argue that the group's actions, while disruptive, remain rooted in civil disobedience rather than terrorism.
The proposed ban has renewed scrutiny of UK-"Israel" cooperation, with campaigners pointing to past evidence of coordination between British counterterrorism units and the Israeli embassy. Concerns are growing that this measure could set a precedent for further repression of pro-Palestine activism.
The state doesn't believe we're terrorists.
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 27, 2025
They're just terrified of how many people are waking up and realising they do not have to rely on a corrupt system to create charge.
They're terrified of you knowing that people can take the power back through direct action.
Families of detained activists face deepening uncertainty, as support efforts, ranging from legal aid to court appearances, could be criminalized. Foreign nationals involved in the group may also face deportation or visa revocation if the ban is enacted.
It has gained attention for its direct actions targeting arms companies operating in the UK that supply weaponry to "Israel." Their activities have intensified since October 2023, when "Israel" launched its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
