The Ministry of Defence has described the Palestine Action group as “a threat to our national security”, after the anti-Israel group’s plans to target further RAF bases emerged.
As reported by the Telegraph, an ‘online action workshop’ for Palestine Action took place this week, in which the organiser identified three further military sites to be targeted – RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire, and RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey. Palestine Action claims that these bases all have links to Elbit, an Israeli defence firm which is a focal point of the organisation’s attacks.
The Telegraph videoed the online workshop, which is believed to have been attended by as many as 50 people. An unnamed Palestine Action member who presented the workshop decried the Government’s plan to proscribe the organisation as “draconian and dangerous” and said that even if it were proscribed, it would “continue to operate”.
Last Friday the Home Secretary announced her intention to proscribe Palestine Action, after members of the group infiltrated RAF Brize Norton and filmed themselves damaging a military plane. The group uploaded footage on social media, claiming that two planes had been damaged and that its “actionists” had managed to escape undetected.
Responding to the Telegraph’s story about further bases being targeted, the Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “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.”
Founded in 2020, Palestine Action has stepped up its attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Its targets have included defence manufacturers, businesses the group claims are associated with Israeli companies, and Jewish charities with strong links to Israel. Last month, the group attacked a business in the heart of Stamford Hill, claiming that it had leased a building to an Israeli weapons firm.
Various far-left members of Parliament, including Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Richard Burgon and Zarah Sultana, have condemned the government’s plans to proscribe the group. If Palestine Action is proscribed, being a member of the group or expressing support for it could lead to an extended prison sentence.
