Pro-Iranian commentators on social media claimed this week that Iran had "successfully destroyed" as many as 30 of the Israeli Air Force's Lockheed Martin F-35I "Adir" fifth-generation stealth fighters in Tuesday's massive missile attack. While Nevatim Air Base, the home to two of the IAF's F-35I squadrons, was targeted in the strike the facility received only minor damage and there has been no confirmation that any Adir fighters were even damaged in the attack.

The Islamic Republic launched more than 180 Fattah-1 and Kheybarshekan missiles at Israel, but most were shot down. U.S. Navy warships operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea helped provide support to counter the missiles. No Israelis were killed, although Palestinian officials reported that a Palestinian man was killed by falling debris.

Passive Resistance

While the missile strike did little (if anything) to impact the IAF, supporters of Palestine carried out a not-so-daring raid at Teledyne CML Composites in Bromborough, Wirral, in the UK.

According to the UK Defence Journal, "The protestors scaled the building, cut holes in the roof, and sprayed red paint on the exterior to symbolise the bloodshed in Gaza… This is the latest in a series of protests by the group against the production and export of military equipment used by the Israeli military."

The facility reportedly manufactures components for the fifth-generation stealth fighter, but it remains unclear if anything it produces is even exported to Israel.

A video of the "attack" was shared on social media by Palestine Action, and showed activists spraying the paint onto machinery – and in essence filming themselves committing a serious crime.

"BREAKING: Palestine Action are on the roof of Teledyne's weapons factory, disrupting the producers of crucial components for Israel's F-35 fighter jets. This one is for Palestine and Lebanon. Resistance until victory!," the group suggested on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Limited Success

The F-35 Lightning II and the Israeli-specific F-35I Adir variant may be nearly unstoppable on the ground, but the red paint could be more effective in a roundabout way.

Teledyne has said the damage to its clean rooms could halt production for up to a year.

"Palestine Action's ongoing protests are part of a broader movement challenging the UK's role in exporting military equipment, particularly to countries involved in conflict. While the activists argue their actions are meant to draw attention to the human cost of these exports, companies like Teledyne operate under legally approved export agreements," the UK Defence Journal added.

The activist group has carried out similar acts of vandalism, which it has described as legitimate protests, to disrupt military production throughout the UK.

This latest strike may not impact just Israel however – if it even does that. There have been additional reports that the facility makes components for systems being supplied to Ukraine, and Palestine Action's actions may have helped the Kremlin not the Palestinians.

BREAKING: Palestine Action are on the roof of Teledyne's weapons factory, disrupting the producers of crucial components for Israel's F-35 fighter jets.

This one is for Palestine and Lebanon. Resistance until victory! pic.twitter.com/0YKZe2VWk0

— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) October 2, 2024

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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