Today, in a significant show of support for pro-Palestinian political prisoners on hunger strike in the UK, several organisations will gather in Johannesburg for a solidarity march to the British Council. This protest serves as a rallying cry to call for immediate action from the British government regarding the fate of prisoners who have been fasting for over 50 days in a critical bid to secure their basic rights and freedom.
Participants emphasise that the hunger strikers, accused of politically-motivated, actions against British complicity in the plight of Palestinians, deserve bail and a transparent legal process. Among the hunger strikers are five young individuals—Qesser Zuhrah, Teuta Hoxha, Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Amu Gib—whose health is in peril.
“Reports confirm that their conditions are deteriorating, with Amu and Kamran already hospitalised, and Qesser beginning to lose her vision. Each day without adequate support is vital, and urgent actions from the UK government are essential to prevent potential loss of life,” the organisations said in a statement.
“The protest today aims not only to advocate on behalf of these individuals but also to draw attention to systemic issues regarding British prisons, including alleged inhumane treatment and the withholding of essential care. The continued detention of these young activists without trial for alleged offences related to their fight for Palestinian rights draws dire parallels to historical instances of political repression, most notably the tragic deaths of Bobby Sands and other Irish political prisoners in 1981.”
As activists reflect on this history, they warn that ignoring the current situation may culminate in further moral failings for the British state.
The hunger strikers embarked on this extreme form of non-violent resistance as a last resort to highlight their cause. They have been accused of breaking into an Elbit Systems factory and a Royal Air Force base to disrupt the flow of arms to Israel amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
However, they are currently being held on pre-trial detention without bail, some for over a year—far exceeding the standard custody limit. Their actions were carried out on behalf of Palestine Action, a group now classified as ‘terrorist’, yet many in the UK continue to flout this ban in acts of defiance. Thousands have taken to the streets, urging the government to reconsider its stance and allow for freedom of expression surrounding these contentious issues.
The demands of the hunger strikers are clear: an end to prison censorship, immediate bail for Palestine Action prisoners, the right to fair and timely trials, the lifting of the group’s proscription, and the shutdown of all Elbit Systems sites in the UK.
“There is a growing call for a more humane approach from the Labour government, especially under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. The echoes of past mistakes weigh heavily on the movement’s advocates, who insist that the moral obligation to uphold human rights remains paramount.
“In a broader context, the situation facing these UK hunger strikers intersects with the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights—an issue deeply ingrained in South African history and solidarity movements. The plight of nearly 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners currently imprisoned under harsh conditions further amplifies the urgency of today’s protest as organisations call for justice, dignity, and an end to occupation.”
