Palestine Action hunger strikers are ‘dying’ in prison, doctor says

He warned that the activists are at ‘imminent risk of death’

Speaking to ITV, Dr James Smith said: “The hunger strikers are at imminent risk of irreversible damage to their bodies, and of death.

“It is my view, as an NHS doctor, that the complexity of the hunger strikers’ care needs must now be managed with regular specialist input if not continuous monitoring in hospital.”

The group of eight prisoners are facing charges in relation to alleged break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action, which was proscribed as a terrorist group this summer.

Two members of the group have been on hunger strike for 48 days, with another one being on hunger strike for 47 days.

Qesser Zuhrah collapsed earlier this week, with her lawyers saying the 20-year-old was experiencing sharp pain in her neck, shoulders, and lower abdominal region, and finding it difficult to walk.

Zuhrah has been refusing food since November 2, and was taken to hospital to receive urgent medical attention.

The other hunger strikers are Amu Gib; Heba Muraisi; Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmed. Lewie Chiaramello is also on partial strike, as he is diabetic.

More than 800 doctors, nurses, therapists and carers wrote a letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy on Thursday, saying that “without resolution, there is the real and increasingly likely potential that young British citizens will die in prison, having never even been convicted of an offence”.

Dr James Smith further told journalists: “Put simply, the hunger strikers are dying.” 

He added: “They are all now at a critical stage.”

Sir Keir Starmer previously said that “rules and procedures” were being followed when he was asked about why ministers had refused to meet with representatives of the strikers.

Rahma Hoxha, the sister of Teuta Hoxha, said: “The longer this goes on the scarier this gets for her and my family, my sister shouldn’t even be in prison.

“The prison guards called her a terrorist, even though she’s on remand.

“She said it feels as if the government is trying to bury them alive and for them to go quietly.”