Watch live: Lawmakers and family members of prisoners on hunger strike hold press conference

Watch live the press conference held by family members of hunger-striking Palestine Action protesters on Thursday, December 18.

Families will attend the meeting, as well as doctors, lawyers and MPs including Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell.

Eight detainees held pending trial on behalf of the Palestine Movement on allegations of trespass or criminal damage are on hunger strike. Some of them were hospitalized.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer was asked whether he would arrange for the Ministry of Justice to meet with his lawyers regarding the treatment of hunger strikers.

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.”

In July, the government banned Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act, making membership of or support for the group a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

A group of MPs and their colleagues, including 19 Labor MPs, have written to the deputy prime minister and justice minister, David Lammy, urging him to meet lawyers for the hunger-striking protesters.