UK Pro-Palestine Hunger Strikers Pass 60 Days in Custody Protest, Facing Organ Failure Risks
London, January 6, 2026 — A group of eight pro-Palestine activists linked to the direct-action group Palestine Action has surpassed 60 days on hunger strike in UK prisons, with at least one detainee hospitalized multiple times amid warnings of imminent organ failure.
The prolonged protest, which campaigners say highlights harsh treatment of activists in custody, entered its third month this week. Heba Muraisi, a Palestinian activist held on remand, has been hospitalized for the fifth time after more than 50 days without food, suffering worsening medical complications. Supporters warn that the strikers' conditions have deteriorated severely, placing them at high risk of irreversible health damage.
Escalating Health Crisis Amid Custody Dispute
Campaigners from Palestine Action and allied groups have raised alarms over the activists' deteriorating conditions. According to reports, the hunger strikers are protesting what they describe as punitive treatment while awaiting trial on charges related to their activism. Heba Muraisi, identified as one of the key figures in the strike, has experienced repeated hospitalizations due to the physical toll of the fast.
"The detainees are facing the risk of organ failure as the protest enters its third month," campaigners stated, criticizing the UK government for refusing to meet with them to discuss the issue. The Middle East Eye reported that the activists, including Muraisi, are suffering from severe health complications, with medical experts warning of potential long-term consequences such as heart failure, kidney damage, and neurological issues common in extended hunger strikes.
Palestine Action, the group behind the protest, confirmed that all eight strikers remain committed despite the health perils. The organization has called for the activists' release or transfer to less restrictive conditions, arguing that their remand status amounts to "political imprisonment."
Context of Palestine Action's Campaign
Palestine Action emerged in 2020 as a grassroots movement targeting UK companies involved in the arms trade with Israel, particularly Elbit Systems, Israel's largest private weapons manufacturer. The group has conducted high-profile direct actions, including occupations of Elbit factories and offices in locations such as Bristol, London, and Leicester. These protests have led to dozens of arrests, with activists facing charges of criminal damage, aggravated trespass, and conspiracy to commit public nuisance.
The current hunger strikers are among those remanded in custody following actions linked to these campaigns. Their protest aligns with broader pro-Palestine activism in the UK, which intensified after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel's subsequent military operations in Gaza. According to UK police data, pro-Palestine demonstrations have drawn millions since late 2023, with occasional clashes leading to arrests. The government has faced criticism from human rights groups for its handling of such cases, including allegations of overzealous policing and restrictions under the Public Order Act 2023.
In a statement attributed to campaigners, they emphasized: "The UK government must meet with us to address the inhumane treatment of these detainees." No official response from the Ministry of Justice or Home Office has been reported as of January 6, though prison authorities have provided medical monitoring, as required under UK law.
Broader Implications for UK Civil Unrest
This hunger strike represents a escalation in tactics amid ongoing civil unrest linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Similar protests have occurred internationally, including hunger strikes by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, which have drawn global attention. In the UK, the case underscores tensions between free speech advocates and authorities balancing public order.
The Prison Service has protocols for managing hunger strikes, including compulsory feeding in extreme cases under the Mental Capacity Act, but ethical guidelines from the World Medical Association discourage force-feeding without consent. As of now, no such measures have been invoked for these strikers.
Outlook and Calls for Resolution
With the strike now exceeding 60 days, medical professionals have urged intervention to prevent fatalities. Campaigners plan continued vigils outside prisons and government buildings, while legal teams pursue bail applications. The UK government has maintained that remand decisions are judicial matters, emphasizing the rule of law.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have previously called for proportionality in handling protest-related detentions. Resolution may hinge on upcoming court dates for the activists, potentially in the coming weeks.
As the protest persists, it highlights the intersection of global geopolitical tensions and domestic activism in the UK, where public support for Palestine remains significant—polls by YouGov in late 2025 showed over 50% of Britons favoring a ceasefire in Gaza.
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