Britain’s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Monday her intention to ban the protest group Palestine Action, following an incident in which activists infiltrated the country’s largest air force base last week.
Cooper described the damage to two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in southern England on Friday as “disgraceful” and said the group had a “long history of unacceptable criminal damage.”
Her statement was issued in writing as Palestine Action supporters gathered in central London to protest against the impending ban, which had already been widely reported ahead of Monday’s announcement.
“In several attacks, Palestine Action has committed acts of serious damage to property in an attempt to advance its political agenda and influence government policy,” Cooper stated.
She confirmed that she would submit a draft order to Parliament next Monday to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. If approved, membership or support for Palestine Action would become a criminal offence, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
Cooper cited several previous incidents involving the group, including attacks on the Thales defence factory in Glasgow in 2022 and more recent actions last year targeting Instro Precision in Kent and Elbit Systems UK in Bristol.
“These incidents do not constitute legitimate or peaceful protest,” she stressed. “The UK’s defence industry is crucial to national security, and this government will not tolerate actions that endanger that security,” Cooper added.
She emphasised that the move specifically targets Palestine Action and would not affect other lawful protest organisations campaigning on issues related to Palestine or the Middle East.
Counterterrorism police are investigating Friday’s security breach at RAF Brize Norton, where two activists allegedly used scooters to enter the base and spray one of the aircraft with red paint.
Palestine Action also claimed responsibility last month for damaging a US military aircraft in Ireland.
