Palestine Action is set to be proscribed and effectively banned by the Home Secretary, according to the BBC. Yvette Cooper is expected to deliver a statement on Monday that would make becoming a member of the group illegal, Sky News reports. After the statement, it would need to be enacted through new legislation. It follows activists from the pro-Palestinian group breaking into RAF Brize Norton overnight.

A video of it was then shared online by its members that shows a person approaching an aircraft on a scooter, while red paint can be seen on the ground. A security review has now launched into the incident, which Sir Keir Starmer described as “disgraceful”. The group claimed to have damaged two military planes. It said two members “broke into the largest air force base in Britain and used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards the planes”.

RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire is the largest of its kind, with roughly 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors. It’s also the departure point for flights heading to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

The group claimed aircraft from RAF Akrotiri “collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets and transport weapons” for military operations in the Middle East.

Its message continued: “Not only did actionists manage to break into Britain’s largest air force base… they also escaped undetected.

“They used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers and caused further damage using crowbars.

“Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene. Both activists managed to evade security and arrest.”

The Prime Minister responded to the break in in a post on X: “The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful.

“Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”

Palestine Action told the Express: “Under Section 1 of the Genocide Convention, Britain is obliged to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. Instead of doing that, the state is actively involved in assisting the commission of genocide through military and diplomatic support.

“On top of that, Israeli weapons factories operate across Britain building weapons which are marketed as “battle-tested” on Palestinians. Palestine Action engage in direct action to break the links in the genocidal supply chain.

“When our government fails to uphold their moral and legal obligations, it is the responsibility of ordinary citizens to take direct action. The terrorists are the ones committing a genocide, not those who break the tools used to commit it.”