Palestine Action Hunger Strikers Hospitalized Amid Growing Concerns

London, United Kingdom – Two individuals connected to Palestine Action who are currently on hunger strike have been hospitalized, intensifying fears for their well-being as they protest their detention. Family members report that both detainees are in critical health, refusing food in a bid to draw attention to their political stance and treatment in custody.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kamran Ahmed, held at Pentonville prison in London, was taken to the hospital on Saturday, as confirmed by his sister, Shahmina Alam. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Amu Gib, who has not eaten for 50 days at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, was hospitalized on Friday, according to updates from the Prisoners for Palestine group and friend Nida Jafri, who maintains regular communication with them.

Serious Health Risks

Ahmed and Gib are part of a group of six detainees protesting their treatment in five different prisons. They are reportedly facing charges related to break-ins at the UK branch of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, and a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire. Both deny allegations of burglary and violent behavior.

“Today marks day 42 of Ahmed’s hunger strike, with a significant risk of organ damage looming,” Alam stated. “He’s been losing weight rapidly, shedding up to half a kilogram each day.” His last recorded weight was 60 kilograms (132 pounds).

When Alam initially spoke to media representatives, Ahmed weighed 64 kilograms (141 pounds) upon entering prison at a healthier weight of 74 kilograms (163 pounds). His health has deteriorated, as noted by a recent weigh-in of 61.5 kilograms (136 pounds). During a call on Friday, his speech was slurred, and he reported high ketone levels and chest pain.

“Honestly, I’m not sure how he’ll come out of this,” Alam added. This marks the third instance Ahmed has been hospitalized since commencing his hunger strike.

Critical Demands and Allegations

The hunger strikers are specifically demanding their immediate release on bail, the right to a fair trial, and the de-proscription of Palestine Action, which the UK government has labeled a “terrorist” group as of July. The six detainees claim that the UK government shares responsibility for Israeli actions in Gaza.

Statements from the protesters reveal concerns regarding censorship during their imprisonment, alleging that mail, phone calls, and books are being withheld. They are also advocating for the closure of Elbit facilities.

Others involved in the hunger strike include Qesser Zuhrah, who is also hospitalized after losing 13% of her body weight, and several others like Heba Muraisi and Teuta Hoxha, with Chiaramello, who is diabetic, opting for food every other day.

No comments were received immediately from Pentonville or HMP Bronzefield regarding the prisoners’ conditions.

Facing Dire Situations

During a call on Thursday, Gib expressed the need for a wheelchair to attend a medical check-up, revealing that prison staff initially denied the request. “They were left there without their vitals being checked on day 47 of their hunger strike,” Jafri reported, voicing concern for Gib’s health now that communication lines have been severed in hospitalization.

Gib has lost more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) during the strike, raising alarms about their health and immune system functionality. Reports from their legal team indicate that prison officials have neglected to provide necessary vitamins, affecting Gib’s cognitive abilities.

Requests for a meeting with the Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy, have gone unacknowledged, with numerous members of the public, including doctors and MPs, urging legislative intervention. Critics now accuse the government of turning a blind eye to the deteriorating situation.

Meanwhile, the media coverage surrounding the hunger strike, viewed as the largest coordinated protest in UK prisons since the Irish Republican hunger strikes of 1981, has been criticized as underwhelming. A commentary by a political communication scholar emphasizes the need for heightened media attention on the plight of these activists.

Conclusion

The health crisis facing the Palestine Action hunger strikers highlights the urgent need for public awareness and governmental intervention. As their situation continues to draw concern, the ongoing protests symbolize a critical discourse surrounding justice and rights within the judicial system.