MAX Intelligence: Palestine Action’s Enduring UK Israel Threat

Executive Summary

• On June 23, authorities announced plans to use anti-terrorism legislation to ban Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group, after its activists damaged two aircraft at a military airbase.

• An investigative report later revealed the group is planning further covert operations targeting military sites and is instructing members to form autonomous activist cells.

• Despite the potential ban, the threat of targeted actions against Israel-linked entities is expected to persist, as activists are likely to rebrand or integrate into aligned anti-war, left-wing, and environmental protest networks.

• Military and defense establishments, along with entities in transport, technology, banking, and education sectors, with ties to Israel, will remain vulnerable to sabotage and vandalism.

• Violent protests denouncing the group’s potential ban are also expected to continue in the coming weeks.

• Businesses with links to Israel are advised to maintain heightened vigilance and review security protocols due to the continued threat of targeted actions by pro-Palestinian activists.

Current Situation

• On June 26, a London-based newspaper published an investigative report revealing that the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action held a secret online meeting to plan targeted actions against British military and defense sites perceived as connected to Israel.

• The group presented a list of targets that included Royal Air Force (RAF) bases Cranwell and Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire, RAF Valley in North Wales, and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufacturing company in Leicester, all reportedly linked to an Israeli defense firm whose offices and factories have been repeatedly targeted by the group in 2024-25.

• During the online session, organizers instructed members to form autonomous covert cells, avoid carrying phones during operations, and use encrypted messaging platforms for all communication. Attendees were told not to disclose operational details or the identities of fellow members and were instructed to await anonymous instructions before taking further action.

• The investigative report also notes that Palestine Action is actively conducting recruitment workshops to expand its network of independent activist cells. A speaker during the session reportedly described the planned campaign as requiring “personal sacrifices” from members and affirmed that group operations would continue despite authorities’ crackdown.

• The meeting followed the June 20 incident in which Palestine Action activists damaged two military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, the largest base of the UK’s Royal Air Force, located in Carterton, Oxfordshire. Activists entered the base by breaching security perimeters and used electric scooters to reach the aircraft. They sprayed red paint onto the engines of two Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) tanker planes using modified fire extinguishers and caused further damage using crowbars.

• Following this, on June 23, authorities announced plans to use anti-terrorism legislation to ban the Palestine Action group, making membership in the organization a criminal offense.

• On June 27, the South East Counter Terrorism Police arrested four people in Newbury, Berkshire, in connection with the RAF Brize Norton incident. Three individuals were arrested on suspicion of planning or carrying out acts of terrorism under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, while a fourth was detained on charges of assisting an offender. Following this, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated the government’s intent to ban the group. In response, Palestine Action called the decision “draconian” and stated that it would legally challenge the move and continue its operations.

Assessments & Forecast

Breach at RAF Brize Norton reflects growing sophistication in Palestine Action’s tactics and operational capabilities

1. The June 20 incident at RAF Brize Norton, combined with the organizational details outlined in the investigative report, reflect a high level of planning and growing sophistication in Palestine Action’s tactics and operational capabilities. That the activists were able to breach RAF Brize Norton, a high-security military installation, demonstrates the group’s ability to successfully identify and exploit vulnerabilities at sensitive sites. The latest report further reinforces this by revealing that the action was not isolated, but rather part of a coordinated strategy aimed at carrying out widespread covert and high-impact sabotage attacks.

2. While Palestine Action has previously carried out disruptive action targeting private Israeli defense firms, the increased attempts to now target RAF airbases suggest an expanded focus on inflicting damage on state-run military infrastructure and assets tied to the wider defense supply chain in the UK. This, in turn, reflects an increasing risk appetite among pro-Palestinian activists, as directly breaching active military installations carries significantly higher security risks and potential for more serious legal consequences. The fact that authorities immediately announced plans to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws just a few days after the June 20 incident reflects this. .

Threat to Israel-linked entities to persist as the group’s activists resurface under new identities and integrate into aligned protest movements

1. The threat of disruptive actions by activists currently affiliated with Palestine Action is anticipated to persist despite the group’s pending proscription under anti-terrorism legislation and its potential dismantling subsequently. The online planning session indicates that the group is actively preparing for the ban and intends to sustain operations by leveraging covert communication, autonomous cell structures, and recruitment. These measures will enable activists to adapt quickly, evade detection, and rebrand under new identities or merge into aligned protest networks to continue their actions.

2. The group’s planned use of encrypted communication platforms, instructions to avoid detection, and emphasis on autonomous cells shows a deliberate move to minimize the risk of infiltration and prosecution. This decentralized model will also allow affiliated cells to operate more independently, making enforcement of the potential ban significantly more challenging.

3. Additionally, the likelihood that members of Palestine Action will re-emerge under new group identities or integrate into ideologically aligned movements following its potential ban is high, particularly due to the frequent overlap between this group and activists in other radical protest networks. These include left-wing, anti-war, environmental, and other pro-Palestinian groups that share compatible narratives and activism methods.

4. FORECAST: As a result, even if Palestine Action is formally proscribed, the threat of targeted actions against military, logistical, and commercial infrastructure linked or perceived to be linked to Israel is expected to persist. Additionally, judging by the overall backlash against the proposed ban from other activist networks, there is an underlying possibility that other aligned movements (including anti-war, left-wing, and other pro-Palestinian groups) will seek to adopt similar tactics or carry out actions against similar targets in solidarity. As such, the risk posed to defense firms, airbases, and critical logistics hubs associated with Israel will remain heightened.

5. FORECAST: In addition to military and defense sector establishments, private entities in other associated industries with alleged links to Israel will also remain vulnerable to targeted actions by such groups. These include transport and logistics firms involved in military-related shipments, financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies accused of supporting Israeli operations, technology firms supplying surveillance or UAV systems used by Israeli authorities, and academic institutions engaged in collaborations with Israeli defense or research bodies. These threats are likely to manifest as disruptive protests, roadblocks, targeted intrusions, vandalism, and property damage.

6. FORECAST: In response to the group’s revealed plans, authorities are likely to implement heightened security at military bases and defense firms as a precautionary measure in the coming weeks. This will likely include increased patrols and surveillance at high-risk sites, rapid deployment of law enforcement during any protests or intrusions, and closer coordination with private security teams at Israel-linked firms. Authorities are also likely to carry out pre-emptive raids, monitor activist communications, and enforce dispersal orders or exclusion zones to prevent any unauthorized access by activists to sensitive locations.

Violent protests denouncing potential ban on Palestine Action anticipated over the coming weeks

1. FORECAST: Pro-Palestinian activists, including those affiliated with Palestine Action as well as those from other pro-Palestinian groups, are anticipated to stage protests across the UK to denounce the government’s move to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws. Several such protests have already been held, including the June 23 protest near Trafalgar Square in London during which seven activists were arrested following clashes with the police. Activists from other groups, including anti-war, left-wing, and environmental groups, are also likely to participate.

2. FORECAST: Such protests are likely to take place outside key government buildings and public squares in major cities nationwide, including in London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Within London, protests are likely outside key government buildings in Westminster, especially the parliament building where the final approval for the group’s proscription will be made.

3. FORECAST: Given heightened sentiments and precedent, these protests are expected to carry an elevated threat of unrest in the form of clashes between protesters, police, and potential pro-Israeli counter-protesters. There is also a risk for protesters to seek to resort to more disruptive tactics such as roadblocks or site occupations during such protests.

Recommendations

1. Individuals and organizations operating or residing in the UK are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the persisting risk of disruptive protest actions by pro-Palestinian activist groups.

2. Israel-linked companies and entities are advised to actively monitor activist channels and social media platforms for early indicators of planned actions. Review public visibility of company affiliations related to defense or Israel-linked operations to assess potential reputational and physical security risks.

3. Conduct security audits at offices, warehouses, or logistical hubs—especially those linked to the defense, aviation, or financial sectors. Reinforce perimeter security with fencing, ensure functional CCTV coverage, and implement or review rapid incident response procedures. Develop and rehearse clear protocols for responding to vandalism, unauthorized intrusions, or protest-related disruptions.

4. Jewish and Israeli individuals and organizations are advised to maintain heightened vigilance to suspicious activity around residences, workplaces, and communal institutions such as synagogues, schools, and cultural centers. Consider adopting a lower profile when in public, especially during periods of heightened tensions or following high-profile incidents.

5. Maintain heightened vigilance near any pro-Palestinian protests due to the elevated risk of unrest.

6. Alert authorities immediately upon witnessing suspicious items or behavior.

7. For any questions and risk assessments, please contact intel@max-security.com