The ongoing hunger strike, now in its most critical phase, marks the longest one in decades. The situation is dire, with six individuals in British prisons having abstained from food for 46 days. The previous record was set during the 1981 Irish Republican Army hunger strikes in HMP Maze / Long Kesh.
In a show of protest, ten men lost their lives due to political inaction during the Irish hunger strikes, with Bobby Sands MP being the first casualty on the 66th day of his hunger strike. The current hunger strike for Palestine Action commenced on November 2 and is progressing into its second month.
The hunger strikers, namely Qesser Zuhrah, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisa, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello, are persisting in their protest as they await trial for engaging in direct action demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine. Two other prisoners have ceased their hunger strike but remain in custody.
Referred to as the Filton 24 and Brize Norton 4, the Palestine Action-affiliated protesters were allegedly involved in incidents like breaking into RAF Brize Norton and vandalizing an Airbus Voyager engine. The protesters linked to the Elbit’s research center damage face accusations but have not been convicted yet.
The hunger strikers have put forth five demands, including an end to prison censorship, immediate bail for Palestine Action prisoners, fair trials, removal of the ‘terror’ label on Palestine Action, and closure of all Elbit Systems facilities in the UK.
Prisoners4Palestine, a UK-based prisoner-led collective, highlights that Elbit Systems is a major Israeli weapons manufacturer. They advocate against government funding for what they term as tools of genocide.
Efforts to raise awareness and push for action to save the hunger strikers have been ongoing. Concerns over the well-being of the hunger strikers, especially Qesser Zuhrah, who experienced health complications, have led to demands for immediate medical intervention.
Despite the risks faced by the hunger strikers, there has been a call for urgent action from figures like David Lammy, Wes Streeting, and Keir Starmer. The lack of response from these officials has raised concerns about the welfare of the hunger strikers.
The hunger strike situation has attracted attention from various sectors, with over 200 prominent figures signing an open letter urging the Prime Minister to intervene before any casualties occur. The call for action is in solidarity with the protesters advocating against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Campaigners emphasize the urgency of the hunger strikers’ plight, lamenting the prolonged pre-trial detention and the denial of basic rights. The open letter denounces the treatment of the inmates and demands immediate action to prevent any tragic outcomes.