Palestine Action ‘terror' group behind RAF Brize Norton raid ‘plots attacks on three more air bases and drone factory'

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

PROTEST PLOT Palestine Action 'terror' group behind RAF Brize Norton raid 'plots attacks on three more air bases and drone factory'
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THE Palestine Action group behind the RAF Brize Norton raid is plotting attacks on three more air bases and a drone factory.
The organisation is preparing to hit targets up and down the country, as reported by The Times and Telegraph.
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The activist group vandalised a military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton
Credit: Sky News
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Protestors with banners reading 'We Are All Palestine Action' at the demonstration in London on Monday
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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In their exclusive investigations, a Palestine Action meeting was recorded during which members talked about damage at the RAF Brize Norton.
The group, who said it will 'continue to operate' despite "intimidating tactics" had also been recruiting members before being officially proscribed a terrorist organisation.
The organiser of the 'direct action workshop', listened to by the Telegraph, said their members were aged from 18 to 80, from "nursery teachers to surgeons".
She said "anyone" could be a member as long as they "want to take direct action for Palestine".
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When talking about their targets, they were told to hit "everything you can find with a sledgehammer" and that "sacrifices" would have to be made.
Members were also asked to download the messaging app Signal, to allow for encrypted communication to be passed.
The discussion then focused on how to covertly target military bases.
Three RAF bases were highlighted as potential targets, RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath, both in Lincolnshire, and RAF Valley, in Anglesey, North Wales.
RAF Cranwell was the world's first Air Academy and still trains the next generation of RAF officers.
Meanwhile, RAF Barkston Heath is a relief landing ground for RAF Cranwell and is the home of 57 Sqn's B Flight of No 3 Flying Training School.
Elsewhere, RAF Valley on Anglesey is the No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for creating the UK's next generation of fighter pilots.
The female organiser further spread the message to take action against firms supplying arms to Israel.
This included one drone factory in Leicester that is home to UAV Tactical Systems.
The meeting's organiser was standing in front of a flag associated with the YPJ.
Details heard in the meeting by the Telegraph were passed on to the police and the Ministry of Defence.
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RAF Brize Norton on Friday June 20 after the attack
Credit: ITV News
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Police arresting a Palestine Action demonstrator on Monday
Credit: Alamy
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Chaotic scenes in Trafalgar Square after members of Palestine Action staged a protest
Credit: Alamy
This comes after pro-Palestine protesters were seen clashing with cops as chaos erupted in London on Monday.
A huge mob descended on Trafalgar Square in central London, leading Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to announced she had decided to proscribe Palestine Action.
She explained that she will lay an order before Parliament next week which, if passed, will make membership and support for the protest group illegal.
The ban will see the organisation on par with Hamas, al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
The decision was made after activists from the pro-Palestinian group broke into RAF Brize Norton last week.
Speaking on Sunday, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" and "frustrated" at the planned demonstration today.
He wrote on social media: "I'm sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action.
"This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered.
'Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft.
'Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences.
"The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest.'
Footage shared online showed two Palestine Action members breaking into the base and vandalising two planes in a "grotesque" breach of security.
They spray red paint into the rear of one of the jet's two engines and deep into the aircraft itself.
The pair of activists can then be seen roaming free across the grounds of the airbase on electric scooters.
Brize Norton is the RAF's largest airbase and home to more than 6,000 military and civilian personnel as well as the UK's largest military aircraft.
The MoD slammed the "vandalism of Royal Air Force assets" in a scathing statement.
A spokeswoman for the ministry said: "Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain.
"They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all.
"It is our responsibility to support those who defend us."
The shocking break-in at the Oxfordshire base prompted a security review at military bases across the UK.
Hundreds commented under videos of the activists' efforts on social media, asking how security could be "that lacking" at a major military air base.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage.
"An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton.
"Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible."
Palestine Action has since been desperately trying to recruit more members in a bid to create autonomous cells around the country.
In an article published in April, Huda Ammori, the group's co-founder, said: 'By being security-conscious and working in small groups, we can make it difficult for the authorities to respond to individual actions by targeting the movement as a whole – such that Palestine Action can continue to grow, even in hostile conditions.'
Those recruited have were also warned in the meeting they may face "legal risks" - but a free lawyer could be provided to them by the government if arrested.
But Palestine Action itself would not be paying for any legal fees.
Members were told they would have to accept a "level of sacrifice" for the cause, and it emerged there are 19 recruits already in prison.
The meeting leader did not tell participants that if Palestine Action is proscribed, members would in fact face being thrown behind bars for up to 14 years.
Despite talking about arrests, the organiser stressed this was not the goal, and urged everyone to avoid being identified.
All of the members were read out an 'actions agreement' which outlined everyone was there of their "own free will".
A Ministry of Defence spokesman told the Telegraph and Times: 'The UK's defence estate is vital to our national security and this government will not tolerate those who put that security at risk.
'This Government is taking the strong step of proscribing Palestine Action due to its activities, which are a threat to our national security.'
A spokesman for North Wales Police added: 'Our officers continue to liaise with MoD staff in relation to security matters at RAF Valley, Anglesey.
'The emergence of potential threats to the site is recognised, with the need for additional policing and security patrols kept under regular review.'
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Members used red spray pain on the aircraft engine
Credit: Sky News