Palestine Action hunger strikes: What are their demands?

Palestine Action hunger strikes: What are their demands? As a months-long hunger strike persists, calls for immediate government intervention grow louder. Six prisoners currently on remand and linked to the banned group Palestine Action have gone on hunger strike, prompting warnings from hundreds of United Kingdom healthcare professionals that they face an immediate risk to their lives. The prisoners are accused of involvement in break-ins at a UK factory operated by Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, Elbit, near Bristol and a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire last year, during which two military planes were spray-painted. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Two Palestine Action hunger strikers in UK prisons admitted to hospital list 2 of 4 Palestine Action hunger strikers are ‘dying’ in prison, UK doctor warns list 3 of 4 Israeli arms companies’ revenues soared in 2024 list 4 of 4 US Muslim group sues Florida’s DeSantis over ‘terrorism’ designation All six individuals deny the charges, which relate to criminal damage and unauthorised entry. Some have been held in custody for more than a year while awaiting trial. Two of the hunger strikers were hospitalised last week, as family members raised concerns about prison conditions and a lack of government action. So why are the six prisoners on hunger strike? What are their demands? The hunger strikers have five key demands: immediate bail, the right to a fair trial (which they say would include the release of documents related to “the ongoing witch-hunt of activists and campaigners”), ending censorship of their communications, “de-proscribing” Palestine Action, which is classed as a ‘terrorist’ group, and the shutting down of Elbit Systems, the Israel-based defence manufacturer with several UK factories. The protesters have also called for an end to their alleged censorship in prison, accusing authorities of withholding mail, calls and books. Looking ahead, the six prisoners are expected to be held for more than one year until their trial dates, well beyond the UK’s six-month pre-trial detention limit. What have they been charged with? The prisoners on hunger strike, aged between 20 and 31, are: Qesser Zuhrah, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmed. Lewie Chiaramello is on a partial strike, refusing food every other day as he is diabetic. They are being held across five prisons for their alleged involvement in break-ins at the UK subsidiary of Elbit Systems in Filton near Bristol, where equipment was reportedly damaged, and at a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, where two military aircraft were sprayed with red paint. The prisoners deny the charges against them, which include burglary and violent disorder. Palestine Action was branded a ‘terror’ group in July , a label that applies to groups such as ISIL (ISIS). More than 1,600 arrests linked to support for Palestine Action were made in the three months following the ban’s introduction. The ban has been challenged in court. For their part, the pro-Palestinian group believes the UK government is complicit in Israeli war crimes committed in...

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