Fact Check: Palestine Action vandalized two military planes with red paint.

Fact Check: "Palestine Action vandalized two military planes with red paint."

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, pro-Palestinian activists from the group Palestine Action broke into the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Brize Norton in the UK. During this incident, they vandalized two military planes by spraying red paint into their engines using repurposed fire extinguishers. The group claimed that this act rendered the aircraft "out of service" temporarily, although the Ministry of Defence (MoD) later stated that the incident did not affect operational capabilities (BBC, Reuters). Footage shared by Palestine Action showed the activists entering the base and spraying the planes, which has been confirmed by multiple news outlets (New York Times, AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Palestine Action vandalized two military planes with red paint is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC reported that the activists managed to evade security and caused damage to the planes, which included spraying paint into the engines (BBC). Similarly, Reuters and the New York Times corroborated these details, noting that the activists used scooters to access the planes and filmed their actions (Reuters, New York Times).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of fact-checking and editorial standards. The BBC, in particular, is known for its rigorous journalism and adherence to factual reporting. The incident has also drawn reactions from government officials, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who condemned the act as "disgraceful" and an "act of vandalism" (BBC). This further supports the veracity of the claim, as it indicates the seriousness of the incident acknowledged by public figures.

While Palestine Action has a history of similar protests, the specifics of this event are well-documented and have been reported consistently across various reputable outlets. The group's motivations, which include opposition to UK military support for Israel, provide context but do not detract from the factual nature of the vandalism claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Palestine Action vandalized two military planes with red paint is accurate based on multiple reliable sources that confirm the details of the incident. The actions of the activists, including the use of fire extinguishers to spray paint into the engines of the planes, have been documented and reported by credible news organizations.

Sources

1. Palestine - Wikipedia
2. Security review launched after activists break into RAF base
3. Pro-Palestinian activists damage planes at UK military base
4. Pro-Palestinian Activists Break Into the UK's Largest Air Base - The New York Times
5. Palestine Action to be banned after RAF base break in
6. Outline of Palestine - Wikipedia
7. Pro-Palestinian activists say they damaged planes on a UK air force base
8. U.K. to Ban Palestine Action Group as Terrorist Organization