Full Breakdown
Health Crisis Among Palestine Action Hunger Strikers in UK Prisons
1/13/2026, 10:46:01 PM
Overview of the Hunger Strike
Heba Muraisi, a 31-year-old activist affiliated with Palestine Action, has been on a hunger strike for 72 days in New Hall prison, England. She is one of three remaining participants in what is described as the largest coordinated hunger strike in British history since 1981. The protest began on November 2, 2025, following the UK government's designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025, which has led to a crackdown on its members and supporters. Muraisi and her fellow hunger strikers are demanding bail, the right to a fair trial, and the de-proscription of Palestine Action.
Health Deterioration and Medical Concerns
Muraisi's health has significantly declined during her hunger strike. Reports indicate she is suffering from severe pain, muscle spasms, and breathlessness, with her weight dropping by over 10 kilograms. Friends and family describe her as gaunt and exhausted, struggling with headaches and lightheadedness. An emergency physician has warned that both Muraisi and another hunger striker, Kamran Ahmed, have reached a critical phase where death or irreversible health damage is increasingly likely. Ahmed has also been hospitalized multiple times due to heart complications.
Background and Context
The hunger strike is rooted in the activists' arrests related to alleged break-ins at the UK subsidiary of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems and at RAF Brize Norton. The charges include aggravated burglary and criminal damage, which the activists deny. The UK government’s classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization has led to a significant increase in arrests and has been criticized by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, for its impact on political expression and protest.
Official Statements & Responses
The UK Ministry of Justice has stated that the hunger strikers are charged with serious offenses and that remand decisions are made by independent judges. Prisons Minister Lord Timpson emphasized that the government will not intervene in ongoing legal cases, asserting that the justice system is based on the separation of powers. He also claimed that prison healthcare teams are closely monitoring the health of the hunger strikers and that allegations of denied medical care are misleading.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the UK government's handling of the situation argue that the prolonged detention of the activists without trial is unjust and that the use of terrorism legislation to suppress dissent is disproportionate. Supporters of the hunger strikers, including former political prisoners, have called for urgent intervention from the government, highlighting the ethical implications of allowing the situation to escalate to a potential loss of life.
What's Next
As the health of the hunger strikers continues to deteriorate, there are growing calls for public awareness and action. The situation raises critical questions about the treatment of political prisoners in the UK and the responsibilities of the state towards those in custody. The activists have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met, putting pressure on the government to respond to their plight.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Physically, I am deteriorating as the days go by. I no longer feel hunger, I feel pain,” — Heba Muraisi, Activist
- “Even though the risks may be lifelong consequences or a devastating end, I think it’s important to fight for justice and for freedom,” — Heba Muraisi, Activist
- “His sister Shahmina Alam told reporters in December: “Our family have never felt this much anxiety, never dreaded phone calls as much as we have now.” — Shahmina Alam, Sister of Kamran Ahmed
- “shocking that these activists have been forced to resort to such desperate measures to bring attention to their plight” — Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK
This ongoing hunger strike not only highlights the dire health risks faced by the activists but also underscores the broader implications of the UK government's approach to political dissent and the treatment of prisoners.
