Seven Arrested Near RAF Lakenheath

British police arrested seven individuals on April 5, 2026, during a protest near a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in eastern England. The arrests occurred at a peace encampment located just outside the Lakenheath airbase, which is used by United States forces.

The group, consisting of five men and two women, was detained on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. The British government had designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization the previous year, making it a criminal offense to belong to or provide support for the group.

The demonstration was organized by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace. According to the organizers, the seven individuals arrested were wearing clothing that displayed the message: We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action.

Activists gathered at the site to protest the alleged use of the RAF Lakenheath base as a departure point for U.S. Aircraft involved in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. On April 4, 2026, protesters had blockaded the entrance to the airbase during the demonstration.

Legal Status of Palestine Action

The arrests follow a period of legal contention regarding the status of Palestine Action. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government banned the group as a terrorist organization in 2025.

In February 2026, a court ruled that the government’s ban was disproportionate and interfered with the right to free speech. Despite this ruling, the government has appealed the decision, and the ban remains in effect.

The crackdown on supporters of the group has been extensive. According to protest organizers from Defend Our Juries, more than 2,700 people have been arrested and hundreds have been charged in connection with rallies supporting Palestine Action.

Context of the Protests

The activity at RAF Lakenheath is part of a broader movement protesting military cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States in conflicts involving Israel. The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace maintains that the base is facilitating military operations in the region.

Police confirmed that the seven individuals were arrested specifically on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organization, citing the current legal standing of Palestine Action under UK law.