Author: germana

Today, Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi and Lewie Chiaramello announce their decision to end their hunger strikes as Elbit Sytems UK was denied a crucial Government contract, a key demand of the hunger strikers.

Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, Lewie Chiaramello, Teuta Hoxha, Jon Cink, Qesser Zuhrah, and Amu Gib have now all begun re-feeding in accordance with health guidelines. It was announced today that Elbit Systems lost out on a £2 billion contract that would have seen them train 60,000 British troops each year. Since 2012, Elbit have won over 10 public contracts, marking a shift in their popularity amongst officials. 

The £2 billion contract, which would have seen Elbit provide training to the British Army over ten years, was lost despite the best efforts of officials both in the Ministry of Defence and British army, who it was revealed had been colluding with both Elbit Systems UK and its parent company Elbit Systems in backroom meetings and ‘tours’ to the capital of Palestine, Jerusalem. 

On Friday 9th January 2026, in a significant breakthrough, the national leaders of prison healthcare finally met with representatives of the hunger striking prisoners, at the behest of the Ministry of Justice, to discuss prison conditions and treatment recommendations. The decision comes as the group Prisoners for Palestine declared a number of victories of the hunger strike, outlining them in a statement:

“In addition to this key demand being met, we want to take this opportunity to reveal the various victories achieved across the duration of the hunger strike:

• In the past few weeks alone, 500 people have signed up to take direct action against the genocidal military-industrial complex, more than the amount of people who took action with Palestine Action over its 5 year campaign. During that 5 year campaign, 4 Israeli weapons factories were shut down. Elbit Systems is living on stolen time – we will see it shut down for good, not because of the government, but because of the people.
• Heba’s transfer to HMP Bronzefield has been accepted by HMP Newhall, where she is currently held in intentional isolation from her family and friends.
• T. Hoxha has been offered a meeting with the head of JEXU (Joint Extremism Unit) at her prison, the very same organisation that orchestrates the prisoners’ treatment as ‘terrorists’.
• Despite the cruel and constant medical neglect of the hunger strikers; including not logging food refusal, refusal of ambulances in life threatening emergencies, and degrading treatment in hospital; the national heads of prison healthcare have met with us at the behest of the Ministry of Justice. 
• During the hunger strike, some of the prisoners started receiving bulk packages of witheld mail, and in one case received an apology from prison staff for a letter that was delayed by 6 months. Books on topics of Gaza and feminsim have also been given after months of waiting. 
• In pursuit of a fair trial, the hunger strikers demanded disclosure of export licenses for the last 5 years from Elbit Systems. After repeated requests, this information was disclosed to an independent researcher by the Department of Trade during the hunger strike.”

The hunger strikers made British history, participating in the largest coordinated and longest hunger strike in Britain lasting in total 73 days, with Heba Muraisi ending at 73 days. 

The campaign group Prisoners for Palestine emphasised that the most valuable win of the hunger strike has been the surge in commitment to direct action: ​​​​​​​

“Our prisoners hunger strike will be remembered as a landmark moment of pure defiance; an embarrassment for the British state. It exposed to the world Britain has political prisoners in service of a foreign genocidal regime, and has seen hundreds of people commit to take direct action in the prisoners footsteps.

While these prisoners end their hunger strike, the resistance has just begun. Banning a group and imprisoning our comrades has backfired on the British state, direct action is alive and the people will drive Elbit out of Britian for good”

Amu Gib said:

“We have never trusted the government with our lives, and we will not start now. We will be the ones to decide how we give our lives to justice and liberation.”

Lewie said:

“It is definitely a time for celebration. A time to rejoice and to embrace our joy as revolution and as liberation. We do this because of Palestine, because we’ve been inspired, because we’ve been empowered to take action and to try to realise our dreams for a free Palestine, for an emancipated world.”

After 73 days of hunger strike which began on Balfour day, 2nd November 2025, as some prisoners are facing imminent death, Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie have ended their hunger strikes. The decision to end their hunger strikes came as it was revealed that Elbit Systems UK was denied a vital £2 billion army training contract with the Ministry of Defence, a key demand of the hunger strikers.

The contract, which would have seen Elbit Systems provide training to the British Army over ten years, was lost despite the best efforts of officials both in the Ministry of Defence and British army, who it was revealed had been colluding with both Elbit Systems UK and its parent company Elbit Systems in backroom meetings and ‘tours’ to the capital of Palestine, Jerusalem, in a desperate attempt to further entrench their genocidal alliance and help them win the contract. 

The abrupt cancellation of this deal is a resounding victory for the hunger strikers, who resisted with their incarcerated bodies in order to shed light on the role of Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, in the colonisation and occupation of Palestine. Since 2012, Elbit has won 25 public contracts in the UK totalling more than £333m; the loss of this £2 billion contract marks a significant shift in this sordid “strategic alliance”. With this victory it has never been clearer that Elbit’s days in Britain are numbered. 

In addition to this key demand being met, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the various victories achieved across the duration of the hunger strike:

• In the past few weeks alone, hundreds of people have signed up to take action against the genocidal military-industrial complex, more than the amount of people who took action with Palestine Action over its 5 year campaign. During that 5 year campaign, 4 Israeli weapons factories were shut down. Elbit Systems is living on stolen time – we will see it shut down for good, not because of the government, but because of the people.
• Heba Muraisi’s transfer to HMP Bronzefield has been accepted by HMP New Hall, where she is currently held in intentional isolation from her family and friends.
• T. Hoxha has been offered a meeting with the head of JEXU (Joint Extremism Unit) at her prison, the very same organisation that orchestrates the prisoners’ treatment as ‘terrorists’.
• Despite the cruel and constant medical neglect of the hunger strikers; including not logging food refusal, refusal of ambulances in life threatening emergencies, and degrading treatment in hospital; the national heads of prison healthcare have met with us at the behest of the Ministry of Justice. 
•  During the hunger strike, some of the prisoners started receiving bulk packages of witheld mail, and in one case received an apology from prison staff for a letter that was delayed by 6 months. Books on topics of Gaza and feminism have also been given after months of waiting. 
• In pursuit of a fair trial, the hunger strikers demanded disclosure of export licenses for the last 5 years from Elbit Systems. After repeated requests, this information was disclosed to an independent researcher by the Department of Trade during the hunger strike.

The continued imprisonment of the hunger strikers will remain a stain on Britain’s facade of being a “democratic” country, with any spine of law and order. This pathetic and cowardly British government cannot resist authoritarianism; it uses fear to deter rightful protest and dissent, echoing the use of administrative detention used against the Palestinian people. 

The hunger strike has cemented this fact to the country, and across the world; Britain has political prisoners in service of a foreign genocidal regime. In a time of worsening political repression, and widespread propaganda about a non-existent ‘ceasefire’ in Gaza, the hunger strike stands as a testament of continued defiance. 

The hunger strikers have allowed those of us who were fearful of state repression to be brave – to go out once again onto the streets and fight for justice. The government should know they cannot ban a concept. Cowardly banning one group can not stop a belief, a movement, a people. This is only the start of our collective fight to free us all and the road to freedom runs through Palestine.

As these victories are declared, we turn our efforts and attention to Umer Khalid, the last remaining hunger striker, who continues to use his body as a weapon against the state in pursuit of justice.

GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern for the lives and fundamental rights of eight pro-Palestinian activists imprisoned in the United Kingdom, who have been on indefinite hunger strike since 2 November.

“Hunger strike is often a measure of last resort by people who believe that their rights to protest and effective remedy have been exhausted,” the experts said.

As they enter the second month of their strike, the health of the pro-Palestinian detainees has reportedly deteriorated significantly, placing them at critical risk of serious complications, including organ failure, irreversible neurological damage, cardiac arrhythmias and death.

“The State’s duty of care toward hunger strikers is heightened, not diminished,” the experts said. “Authorities must ensure timely access to emergency and hospital care when clinically indicated, refrain from actions that may amount to pressure or retaliation, and respect medical ethics.”

The expert recalled that respect for the right to health is applicable to everyone, including persons deprived of their liberty. They stressed that States must respect individual autonomy, ensure continuous, independent medical monitoring, provide accurate information about health risks, and take all necessary steps to protect life and prevent irreversible harm, without resorting to coercive or punitive measures.

They also expressed concerns regarding the treatment of the hunger strikers, including reported delays in accessing medical care, use of excessive restraint during hospital treatment, denial of contact with family members and legal counsel, and lack of consistent independent medical oversight, particularly for detainees with serious pre-existing health conditions.

“These reports raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, including obligations to protect life and prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” the experts said.

They have previously raised concerns with the UK Government regarding the application of counter-terrorism and security frameworks to acts of political protest that are not genuinely terrorist according to international standards, and warned against the criminalisation of conduct that falls within the protected exercise of the rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression, and the suppression of legitimate political dissent, including advocacy related to Palestine.

The experts have also expressed serious concern as to the overbreadth of the definition of terrorism under UK law, the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, and the subsequent mass arrests and criminal charges, including terrorism-related offenses, brought against individuals for alleged support for Palestine Action.

“These hunger strikes must be understood within the broader context of restrictions on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK,” the experts said, noting that the detainees are held in connection with protest-related activity.

They urged the United Kingdom to immediately guarantee appropriate healthcare for all hunger strikers, and engage in meaningful dialogue and action to address not only the claims of the protestors, but also underlying rights violations, and an end to the repression of Palestine activism.

“Preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable. The State bears full responsibility for the lives and wellbeing of those it detains,” the experts said. “Urgent action is required now.”

The experts stand ready to engage constructively with the UK Government and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

*The experts:

• Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
• Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
• Cecilia M. Bailliet, the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity
• George Katrougalos, the Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
• Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
• Irene Khan, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
• Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967

On Friday 19th December, Qesser Zuhrah made the decision to pause her hunger strike after 48 days of refusing food. She was joined by Amu Gib, who began re-feeding after 49 days of hunger striking. This decision comes after Zuhrah was refused an ambulance for over 18 hours overnight by HMP Bronzefield, putting her life in danger, and fuelling protests outside the prison including one MP, Zarah Sultana, refusing to leave until Qesser was provided with an ambulance. 

Both Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib are being held on remand at HMP Bronzefield. The decision to end the strike came after Qesser experienced continuous excruciating pain in her abdomen whilst Amu experienced severe weakness, and brain fog which left them wheelchair bound. 

Four others, Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha and Lewie Chiaramello are still on hunger strike, despite Kamran being hospitalised for the third time since being on hunger strike. Heba Muraisi has stated she will not end her hunger strike unless she is moved back to HMP Bronzefield where she was initially held before being abruptly moved to HMP New Hall, miles away from her family and support system. Today, Teuta Hoxha was denied bail on compassionate grounds. Lewie Chiaramello continues to fast intermittently despite being type 1 diabetic, which is having an impact on his health in a critical way as he experiences confusion, dizziness, and weakness. 

Alhough the number of hunger strikers have decreased, the hunger strikers have began legal proceedings against David Lammy, citing a violation of government policies on hunger striking as well as a lack of response to the hunger strikers, despite sending multiple letters to the Secretary of State. The letter, dispatched on Monday, outlines the group’s intention to pursue legal action, citing the government’s alleged abandonment of its own prison safety policy framework. The letter demands a response within 24 hours, stressing that the issue is a “matter of urgency” as “our clients’ health continues to deteriorate, such that the risk of their dying increases every day.” The letter is the latest move in an attempt to engage with the government to open negotiations. 

A spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine said:

“The remaining four will continue to refuse food on the basis of the five demands, as well as specifying their demands to include  the end of all non association orders between prisoners; Heba’s transfer back to HMP Bronzefield; and the same access to all courses and activities as sentenced prisoners. Non association orders are used to further isolate prisoners from each other despite being in the same prison; just as Heba has been moved across the country, away from her family and friends in London. Due to the extended period of time on remand, well over the usual six month legal limit, it is only fair that the prisoners are able to access the same activities as everyone else”

Upon ending the hunger strike, Qesser Zuhrah stated:

“To our Government, do not release your breath, because we will certainly return to Battle you with our Empty Stomachs in the New Year, when you have shamefully returned from your blood-soaked break, to the theatrics of your ‘democracy’. Our Demands however remain inescapable, and this pause is your chance to meet them, to get it right, to stop arming and aiding this genocide, otherwise you will force us to return to confront you with our breaths, which will be far more disastrous and dangerous than this first time”

Amu Gib released the following statement:

“ We have never trusted the government with our lives, and we will not start now. There will be no turkey dinner and break in the Zionist programme of genocide. We are committed to the resistance of their script, not until Christmas, but for the rest of our lives…

 We will be the ones to decide how we give our lives to justice and liberation.”

Today, Prisoners for Palestine held a press conference with medical experts, legal experts, MPs and families and loved ones of the hunger strikers, to urge the government to intervene as the hunger strike campaign reaches a critical point.

Doctors

Dr James Smith, A&E doctor and Lecturer at UCL, discussed an open letter spearheaded by him in order to pressure the government’s intervention in the case. On 17th December 2025, a letter was signed by over 800 doctors addressing David Lammy to urge him to intervene in the case of the hunger strikers currently on day 47 of hunger strike. The letter, detailing medical neglect and ‘grave concern’ over the hunger strikers’ health states, “They are at very high risk of serious complications, including organ failure, irreversible neurological damage, cardiac arrythmias, and death.” The letter details individual hunger strikers and the timeline of neglect faced alongside inadequacies surrounding medical intervention upon emergency responses and goes on to address commissioning teams, clinical leads and governance teams within the NHS and healthcare system, advising that, “The undersigned, call on all parties in positions of responsibility and authority, to act immediately to resolve this inherently dangerous and fragile situation, and  safeguard the health and lives of the hunger strikers”. This letter comes after the emergency situation yesterday, where 20-year-old Qesser Zuhrah was refused an ambulance for more than 12 hours, prompting MP Zarah Sultana and two doctors to camp out outside HMP Bronzefield overnight, demanding the prison provide an ambulance. They refused to leave until this was done. As the prison continued to deny Qesser Zuhrah access to an ambulance, mass protests erupted outside the prison and arrests were made, including the arrest of Dr Ayo Khalil. 

Dr James Smith at the press conference stated:

“The hunger strikers are dying…”

“The shackling of prisoners when in hospital, even when using toilet facilities, this is something I have never seen or experienced in my time as a medical professional.”

“It is my view that the government are presently harming these individuals. It is imperative that David Lammy

meets with the hunger strikers and their families”

Friends and Family

Friends and family in attendance have been advocating for their loved ones, including addressing David Lammy face to face. Alongside this, despite more than four official letters have been sent to the government by Prisoners for Palestine, the government is yet to respond. After assurances that they would be met, this press conference becomes the latest attempt to pressure the government to meet with them urgently. 

A statement made by Rahma Hoxha, sister of T Hoxha currently held at HMP Peterborough:

“I don’t think people realise how serious this is, as on day 35 you risk brain damage, organ failure and heart attack. Today, she’s on day 40. I don’t want to lose my sister, I don’t want to imagine my life without her.”

A statement from Ella made today, Qesser Zuhrah’s next of kin:

“Qesser has been on hunger strike now for 47 days. This means she is 12 days into the final stage of starvation and 7 days into the period where death can occur at any time. Qesser is only 20 years old and has been held in prison for over a year without trial. All she wants is to go home and for this government to stop manufacturing genocide. She has so much life left to live – please let her live.”

Shahmina Alam, sister of Kamran Ahmed stated at the press conference:

“Kamran has made the most difficult decision, to starve his body of nutrients, because there is nothing more left (that he can do to be heard). He is committed to the liberation of Palestinians, he is commited to a right to a fair trial, to an end of censorship, these are not abnormal asks. It is a great shame that we have to stand here and ask for these things… What is most concerning, he is losing half a KG of weight everyday, in the last three days he has lost 3 kg. What are we waiting for? For his heart to stop?”

Legal 

Daniel Cooper from Imran Khan And Partners spoke detailing multiple correspondences sent to David Lammy, with no response. The legal team representing the hunger strikers have pointed out that the government is in contempt of not adhering to their own policies on hunger strikers by mentioning the government’s policies in being involved in discussions on coming to resolutions on re-feeding. Daniel Cooper stated: 

“We make it clear, our effort is to seek to prevent the loss of life. We remain at a loss as to why the Secretary [of State] would not want to engage in a process to save lives? Their lives are at risk, the government has known about this for some time, but for reasons not clear to us, they have refused our requests to meet.”

This statement comes following PM Keir Starmer being asked about the hunger strikers at PMQs yesterday, where he responded by saying the government was following rules on hunger strike. 

Politicians

Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Zarah Sultana and Zack Polenski are amongst politicians urging the government to immediately meet with Prisoners for Palestine, in order to intervene and put an end to the hunger strikes. Several MPs have also sent letters alongside over 50 MPs signing an open letter to Lammy earlier this week. 

John McDonnell stated:

“We are desperate now… We are desperate for a resolution of this. It would not be much to ask for David Lammy to simply appoint someone to start discussions off. Jeremy, I and Zarah have been down to prisons to visit and we have raised the basic conditions of humanitarian treatment of these prisons. By any standards, these conditions are not being met. It is not much to ask for David Lammy to enter into a process of discussion to save these people’s lives.”

Also attending the press conference was Shockat Adam Independant MP. He said:

“These individuals were standing up to the massacre and disruption of an innocent people…We have failed to stop the killing and suffering, these individuals decided to make sure they could do everything in their means to stop this from happening. This is an extension of where our country will go towards in order to make sure we are not implicated and this is why we will stand strongly with the prisoners.”

Salaam Alaikum.
As a former Guantanamo detainee GTMO441, we spent years in Guantanamo on hunger strike and force feeding. I know how governments punish and break hunger strikes.

Today, prisoners in UK prisons are on hunger strike for justice.
They have gone more than forty-five days without food.
Their bodies are breaking down, and the British government has chosen silence and violence. The British Government punishes them, ignores them, and refuses to provide the necessary health care they urgently need. This is a death sentence.

Hunger strikes are not protests of choice. They are protests of last resort.
The British government wants these men and women to disappear quietly.
The media wants to look away.
This silence is a weapon of violence.
Today, I am joining this hunger strike in solidarity.
“I do this because I see now that Guantánamo is embedded in the UK prison system.”
I do this because it is our duty to stand with the oppressed and confront the oppressor.
I do this because I’m able to do it, and this is the least I can do to support them.
This hunger strike is not about food.
It is about dignity and justice.
It is about remand being used as punishment.
It is about a system that believes silence will protect it.
It won’t.
I stand with the hunger strikers.
I will not look away.
And I will not let them be erased.

At 12.35PM, Jeremy Corbyn raised a question urging the Prime Minister to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers, to resolve the situation as their health seriously deteriorates.

Starmer failed to provide an adequate response, whilst Zarah Sultana MP remains outside HMP Bronzefield for nearly 12 hours to demand an ambulance for Qesser Zuhrah, on Day 46 of her hunger strike, who is in critical condition.

Jeremy Corbyn MP said: “Yesterday the minister of state for Justice declined a meeting with the representatives of a number of hunger strikers in prison at the present time. These are all remand prisoners. They’re not convicted of anything.

Since then a further prisoner has been taken to hospital as have others. Many people are very concerned about the regular breaches of prison conditions and prison rules in respect of these hunger strikers.

Will he make arrangements for the Ministry of Justice to meet representatives of the hunger strikers to discuss these breaches of the conditions that they’re experiencing at the present time?”

Keir Starmer responds by saying “He will appreciate there are rules and procedures in place in relation to hunger strikes and we’re following those rules and procedures.”

A spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine said:

“The policy on hunger strikers stipulates that those in the best position to address and resolve the demands of prisoners refusing food, must do so. However there has been zero contact with the hunger strikers or their representatives to resolve this strike.

The prime minister is lying, and there are lives on the line. We are demanding, as a matter of life and death, that the government urgently meets to resolve the strike. Whilst they fail to do so, the government are breaching their own rules, and are letting unconvicted prisoners die.”

Supporters, including Zarah Sultana MP, and two doctors, have maintained a presence outside HMP Bronzefield since 1:20 AM, demanding immediate hospitalisation and independent medical assessment for Qesser Zuhrah, who is today on day 46 of her hunger strike.

Ms Zuhrah reported severe chest pain, abdominal and lower back pain, and breathlessness last night.

According to reports from yesterday afternoon, she is no longer able to stand and requires urgent medical attention.

Despite repeated calls for emergency care, prison staff have so far refused entry to ambulances and delayed treatment overnight, prompting Zarah Sultana MP and medical professionals to stage a night long camp out outside the prison.

At around 7am, Zahrah Sultana MP tweeted on X: “Qesser Zuhrah has been waiting 14 hours for urgent medical care. HMP Bronzefield is refusing to transfer her to hospital. I have contacted David Lammy and Wes Streeting, urging immediate intervention. There has been no response. She just needs an ambulance. If she dies, it will be on their hands.”

She has maintained that she will not leave until an ambulance is called for Qesser, warning the Justice secretary, David Lammy on X that if he does not let an ambulance into HMP Bronzefield now, “Qesser Zuhrah is going to die.”

Ms Zuhrah’s vital signs have been taken only intermittently, and she has received inadequate electrolytes since returning from hospital on Friday – due to HMP Bronzefield reportedly running out of electrolytes on Friday.

Fellow hunger striker Jon Cink reported that he saw an ambulance at around 9pm last night which was turned away by the prison.

Medical advocates and healthcare professionals warn that Ms Zuhrah’s condition could become life‑threatening within hours without hospital treatment and observation.

Prisoners for Palestine said, “HMP Bronzefield, under the leadership of David Lammy is willing to let Qesser die rather than let an ambulance into the prison to treat her. This is not neglect, it is a criminal offence. We will not stop until Qesser goes to hospital and all those responsible are held to account. David Lammy must meet us now to save Qesser’s life.”

Calls to South East Coast Ambulance Service have been logged, but access continues to be denied.