Who are the Palestine Action supporters on hunger strike?
Palestine Action activists who have been on hunger strike for months over allegations of break-in or criminal damage are dying, according to a doctor.
Dr D., a lecturer at University College London and a qualified emergency physician. James Smith said the group needed specialist medical help as politicians called on the government to intervene, and some of the eight prisoners who started protesting their detention while awaiting trial were hospitalized.
Four of the group are accused of playing a role in the 2024 break-in of an Israeli-linked defense firm and are due to stand trial as early as May next year.
The other four are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June, where they allegedly caused damage worth millions of pounds to two military aircraft.
The alleged crimes occurred before the group was banned under terrorism legislation in July; The law made membership in or support of the organization a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The hunger strikers deny the charges but have been denied bail. On Thursday, family members of the protesters, with the support of MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, held a press conference where they sat before a panel of seven people and outlined the duration of their hunger strike.
Dr Smith told a press conference: “Hunger strikers are dying.” He added: “We are alarmed by allegations of substandard monitoring and treatment in the prison system.
“Last week more than 200 members of the British Medical Association wrote to the BMA to sound the alarm.”
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer was asked at Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) whether the Ministry of Justice would make arrangements for hunger strikers to meet with their lawyers about their treatment.
Mr Corbyn had opposed him, claiming there were “regular breaches of prison conditions and prison rules”.
Sir Keir said: “He will appreciate that there are rules and procedures in place regarding hunger strikes and we comply with those rules and procedures.”
According to the International Center for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), six of the eight people who first went on hunger strike are still on strike. It is stated that one of them participated in the protest intermittently due to his health condition.
The Independent profiled activists on hunger strike:
Qesser Zuhrah
Qesser Zuhrah, 20, is charged with aggravated theft, violent disorder and criminal damage for allegedly breaking into the site of Israeli-linked Elbit Systems UK in Filton, Bristol.
Protesters, including MP Zarah Sultana, recently gathered at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey to demand he be taken to hospital.
He was hospitalized on Wednesday, the 46th day of his hunger strike.
Amu Gib
Amu Gib is on the 47th day of the hunger strike. They are charged with conspiracy to cause damage to property and conspiracy to enter a restricted place for a purpose prejudicial to the security and/or interests of the United Kingdom in relation to the alleged break-in at RAF Brize Norton.
Last week Mr Corbyn wrote on Instagram that he had visited Gib in prison and called for them to be released on bail.
Heba Muraisi
Heba Muraisi started her protest a day later and is on the 46th day of her strike. He has been charged in connection with the alleged incident in Filton.
Teacher Teuta
Teuta Hoxha is charged with criminal damage and aggravated theft in relation to the alleged conduct at Elbit Systems. On the 40th day of his strike.
Her sister, Rahma Hodja, said at the press conference: “The longer this situation goes on, the scarier it gets for her and my family, my sister shouldn’t even be in prison.
“Even though he was in custody, the guards called him a terrorist.
“He said he felt like the government was trying to bury them alive and make them leave quietly.”
Kamran Ahmed
Kamran Ahmed, who is charged with aggravated theft, criminal damage and violent disorder in connection with the alleged break-in at Elbit, has been on hunger strike for 39 days.
A letter reported by Sky News said Ahmed had been hospitalized twice since November.
His sister Shahmina Alam told reporters at the press conference: “Our family has never felt this much anxiety, never been as afraid of phone calls as we are now.
“His heart is giving out, his pulse is slowing down, he’s losing half a kilo every day.”
He added: “The justice system is hanging on a very thin thread.”
Muhammed Umer Khalid and Jon Cink
BBC News reported on Wednesday that supporters said Jon Cink and Muhammad Umer Khalid had ended their hunger strike after 41 and 13 days respectively.
Both are charged in connection with the alleged break-in at Brize Norton.
They will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on January 16 after appearing at the Old Bailey via video link on December 12.
Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: “We are very experienced in dealing with hunger strikes. Unfortunately, we have averaged over 200 cases of hunger strikes each year for the last five years and the processes we have in place are well established and work very well – prisons work with our NHS partners every day to ensure our systems are robust and working – and they are.”
“I am very clear. I do not treat any prisoner differently from others. For this reason, we will not meet with any prisoner or their representatives. We have a justice system based on the separation of powers, and an independent judiciary is the cornerstone of this system.”
