The ongoing hunger strike, the longest in decades, has reached a critical and life-threatening phase. The British Government’s silence on this matter is alarming.
Currently, six individuals in British prisons have been on a hunger strike for 46 days. This surpasses the previous record set during the 1981 Irish Republican Army hunger strikes at HMP Maze / Long Kesh in Northern Ireland.
The hunger strike initiated by Palestine Action began on November 2 and has now extended into its second month. Among the hunger strikers are Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib on day 46, Heba Muraisa on day 45, Teuta Hoxha on day 39, Kamran Ahmed on day 38, and Lewie Chiaramello on day 24.
These individuals are abstaining from food as they await trial for their involvement in direct action protests supporting Palestine. While two other prisoners initially joined the hunger strike, they have since opted out.
The hunger strikers have put forth five demands, including an end to prison censorship, immediate bail for Palestine Action prisoners, fair trials for all accused individuals, the removal of the ‘terror’ classification from Palestine Action, and the closure of all Elbit Systems sites in the UK.
Prisoners4Palestine, a prisoner-led collective in the UK, highlights that Elbit Systems is Israel’s leading weapons manufacturer and calls for the government to cease funding such activities with taxpayer money.
Efforts to draw attention to the hunger strikers’ deteriorating health and the urgency of their situation have been ongoing. Supporters, including Zarah Sultana MP and medical professionals, have been advocating for immediate hospitalization and independent medical assessments for the hunger strikers.
Concerns have escalated, with reports indicating that some hunger strikers have been in custody for over a year without trial, raising questions about British justice and the denial of basic rights to these individuals.
Calls for action have been made to politicians such as David Lammy, Wes Streeting, and Keir Starmer to intervene and prevent any potential deaths among the hunger strikers. The lack of response from these officials has sparked further concerns about the well-being of the hunger strikers.
The gravity of the situation has prompted over 200 prominent figures from various fields to sign an open letter urging the Prime Minister to intervene before any fatalities occur among the hunger strikers. Notable personalities have joined the cause, emphasizing the need for immediate action to safeguard the lives of those on hunger strike.