FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE
THIRD PRISONER JOINS PRISONERS FOR PALESTINE HUNGER-STRIKE
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On Sunday 2nd November, Balfour Day, 20-year old Qesser Zuhrah and 30-year old Amu Gibb launched the Prisoners for Palestine rolling hunger strike by refusing food at Bronzefield prison. They have now been joined by Heba Muraisi, who is being held on remand at New Hall prison.
Heba, originally from Yemen, with family in Gaza, refused food, at breakfast time today, Monday 3rd November, becoming the third prisoner to join the national Prisoners for Palestine open-ended hunger-strike, alongside Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gibb.
Heba Muraisi has been imprisoned without trial since being remanded into custody on 19th November 2024. She became one of the Filton 24, after being violently arrested in a dramatic dawn raid, by counter-terrorism police, in what was the third wave of arrests in relation to a Palestine Action raid on Israeli arms maker, Elbit Systems‘ Research and Development Hub at Filton, Bristol, in August 2024.
Like all the pro-Palestine prisoners, Heba has been targeted by the prison authorities. Her privacy has been violated, her access to books and visits restricted, she has been subjected to segregation, and her kuffiyeh, which she wears as hijab during prayers, was forcibly removed by Yasmin Cooper, the Head of Security at Bronzefield prison, where Heba was first detained. In October 2025, in a flagrant punishment move known as ‘ghosting’, Heba was forcibly transferred from HMP Bronzefield to HMP New Hall, hundreds of miles away from her family and support system.
The prisoners are striking in support of a list of demands, including release on bail, an end to prison censorship, and the right to a fair trial.
On the afternoon before their hunger-strike began, while being locked-up for the night, around 5.15pm, both Qesser and Amu informed the prison guards that they would be refusing food in the morning. On Qesser’s landing, the other prisoners gathered, as she made the announcement. The reaction from the guards was to press the alarm-bell, which brought other warders running to the scene, and Qesser was forced into her cell, to the cries and protests of other prisoners, expressing support for her. The guards then said she’d be placed on ‘report‘ for a breach of prison ‘discipline’.
Despite a letter, sent to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, on 20th October, there has still been no response to the hunger-strike from the government.
Francesca Nadin, spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine said: “We would like to ask Kier Starmer, how do you justify labelling Amu Gib a terrorist for allegedly taking the same action that you defended your own clients for in the past? And to Shabana Mahmood, how does it feel to be a traitor to the cause that you professed your love for? Your spineless hypocrisy is no match for the determination of our prisoners. They will stand strong until their demands are met, and the people will stand alongside them all the way.”
Prisoners for Palestine are calling for a ‘Phone Blockade’ of Bronzefield prison tomorrow, in support of the hunger-strikers.
There are currently 33 pro-Palestine prisoners imprisoned without trial in British prisons.
ENDS.
Notes to Editors:
Contacts: Audrey Corno and Francesca Nadin available for interview
Prisoners for Palestine is advocating for the prisoners on hunger strike and others who support them, both in and out of prison.
Phone number: 07782386509 / 07349512167
Website: prisonersforpalestine.org
Email: prisoners4palestine@proton.me
Social Media: @prisoners4palestine