The ongoing hunger strike, now one of the lengthiest in decades, has reached a critical and perilous phase with no official response from the authorities.
Six individuals in British penitentiaries have abstained from food for 46 days, marking a significant milestone surpassing the previous extended hunger strike set during the Irish Republican Army protests in HMP Maze / Long Kesh in 1981.
The hunger strike initiated by Palestine Action commenced on November 2 and has now surpassed a month in duration.
Among the hunger strikers are Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib on their 46th day of fasting, Heba Muraisa on day 45, Teuta Hoxha on day 39, Kamran Ahmed on day 38, and Lewie Chiaramello on day 24. They are withholding food in anticipation of their upcoming trials related to their activism in support of Palestine. Two other detainees who were part of the hunger strike have since ceased their protest.
These individuals have not been convicted of any offenses but are being held in custody awaiting trial dates that are months, if not years, away. The hunger strikers have articulated five demands, including an end to prison censorship, immediate bail for Palestine Action prisoners, fair trials, removal of the ‘terror’ label from Palestine Action, and closure of all Elbit Systems facilities in the UK.
Prisoners4Palestine, a prisoner-led collective advocating for those detained in connection with the Palestinian cause, highlights Elbit Systems as a major Israeli arms manufacturer and urges against utilizing public funds to support what they describe as genocidal activities.
Amidst increasing concerns over the hunger strikers’ deteriorating health conditions, calls for action have been directed at political figures like David Lammy, Wes Streeting, and Keir Starmer. Despite efforts to raise awareness, there has been no response from these officials at the time of reporting.
The hunger strike has attracted attention from various sectors, with over 200 prominent figures from music, sports, and film industries signing an open letter demanding government intervention to prevent potential fatalities among the prisoners. This solidarity movement, spearheaded by Irish Artists for Palestine, emphasizes the urgency of the situation as the hunger strikers risk their lives in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The detainees, known as the ‘Filton 24’ and ‘Brize Norton 5,’ have faced prolonged detention without trial, encountering health complications that have necessitated hospitalization for some. The campaign for their release stresses the denial of basic rights, including communication restrictions and delayed judicial proceedings.
The gravity of the hunger strike’s implications has prompted legal representatives, activists, and supporters to advocate for immediate action to avert any tragic outcomes within the UK prison system.