Hunger Strike Ends for Some, but Tensions Rise Over Palestine Action Prisoners
Right now, there’s growing attention on a group of remand prisoners in the UK linked to Palestine Action, after a long and emotionally charged hunger strike that has raised serious concerns about health, justice, and protest rights. Two of the prisoners have now ended their hunger strike, but the situation remains tense because several others are still refusing food, some for well over a month.
These detainees are awaiting trial for alleged offences connected to Palestine Action protests, including claims of break-ins and criminal damage. All of the charges are denied, and importantly, the alleged incidents took place before Palestine Action was officially banned under terrorism legislation. Despite that, their trials are not scheduled until next year, meaning many of them have already spent long periods in custody without a verdict.
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Supporters say the hunger strike began back in November as a last-resort protest. The prisoners have been demanding the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action, changes to restrictions placed on them, and action against a defence firm they say has links to Israel. According to those supporting them, the two longest hunger strikers had gone without food for around 45 days before deciding to stop. Officials have not disputed that claim.
However, five others are still said to be refusing food, with some reaching similar lengths of time. One of the most concerning cases involves 20-year-old Qesser Zuhrah, who is being held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. Supporters claim her condition deteriorated significantly, with reports of chest pain, breathlessness, and collapse. After days of protests outside the prison and mounting pressure, an ambulance eventually attended the site and she was taken to hospital.
Those protests themselves became flashpoints. Demonstrations outside HMP Bronzefield led to police being called, scuffles breaking out, and several arrests. Police said officers were assaulted and roads were blocked, delaying medical assistance. The Ministry of Justice described the escalation as unacceptable, warning that staff safety and prison security had been put at risk.
Inside Parliament, the issue has also been raised repeatedly. More than 50 MPs and peers have written to Justice Secretary David Lammy urging him to meet the prisoners’ lawyers. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Jeremy Corbyn pressed Sir Keir Starmer on the matter, warning of breaches of prison conditions and serious risks to life. The response from the government has been firm: ministers say there are established rules and procedures for hunger strikes, and they insist those procedures are being followed.
The Ministry of Justice maintains that prisoners’ wellbeing is continually monitored, with medical assessments and hospital treatment provided when necessary. Still, for supporters, the fear remains that time is running out for those still refusing food. Even as some hunger strikes end, the wider protest — and the questions it raises about pre-trial detention, protest, and human cost — is far from over.
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