A Palestinian Action hunger striker has complained that her prison is refusing to give her a vital vitamin.
Six protesters belonging to the outlawed terrorist group are on hunger strike across the UK while facing charges relating to alleged trespass or criminal damage.
Among those on strike is Heba Muraisi, a 31-year-old lifeguard and florist, who has not eaten since November 3rd.
Ms Muraisi, who has family in the Gaza Strip, is currently on remand at HMP New Hall, West Yorkshire, facing charges of criminal damage worth £1m at the Elbit Systems UK factory, near Bristol, in August 2024.
Francesca Nadin, a spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine and relatives of Ms Muraisi, told The Telegraph that she was weak, dizzy and unable to stand for long.
Hunger strikers supporters hold a picture of Heba Muraisi – Guy Smallman/Getty
Ms Nadin claimed the prison was refusing to provide Ms Muraisi with thiamine, one of the water-soluble B vitamins, which is normally obtained from food and helps keep the nervous system healthy.
The body does not produce thiamine on its own and as a result, it is necessary to eat regularly.
She said: “The problem we have at the moment is that there is a minimum that is required for good brain function.
“The jail is refusing to test her thiamine levels. And the jail won’t give her or test her levels and we’re pushing for her to be taken to the hospital.
“Mentally, she’s very strong, determined and tough, and she always remembers why she’s doing it, and it’s this mental strength that physically helps keep her going.”
The protesters complained about alleged ill-treatment in prison – they claimed great restrictions on mail, calls and visits – and made a series of demands including closing down a defense firm with ties to Israel and lifting the ban on Action for Palestine.
Hunger striker Kamran Ahmed, 28, said dying for this cause is ‘worth it’
Speaking about the hunger strikers, Mrs Nadin added: “They are not doing this for a choice… They have no other choice, every other legal avenue has been exhausted.”
Earlier this month, lawyers representing the hunger-striking protesters warned they were likely to die without intervention.
Four have already had to visit hospital, including Amu Gib, who is on remand at HMP Bronzefield, Surrey, and has refused to eat for 50 days.
Kamran Ahmed, 28, who is in HMP Pentonville and has not eaten since November 8, suggested this week that dying for the Palestinian Action cause was “worth it”.
Ahmed, from north London, told the Sunday Times: “Every day, I fear that I could potentially die. Yes, this could have lifelong implications. But I look at the risk against the reward. I see it as worthwhile.”
The vandalism attack is captured at the Elbit Systems factory in 2024
Three High Court judges are expected to rule on the legality of Palestine Action’s ban within weeks after the courts gave permission to Huda Ammori, the group’s founder, to disputes the decision to proscribe the group under anti-terrorism laws.
The Government refused to negotiate with the legal team of the attackers but denies the allegations that the six were being mistreated and limited access to basic health care, as supporters claimed.
Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, refused to negotiate with their legal team, saying he would treat no prisoner differently from others.
The attackers are demanding immediate bail, for the Government to reverse its ban on Palestinian Action as a proscribed terrorist organisation, the immediate closure of all UK arms factories linked to Elbit Systems and improved communication with their legal team.
Photograph from a video showing the attack in the Elbit building
Dave Rich, head of policy at the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors anti-Semitism against the UK’s Jewish community, said on X: “The whole xtick of Palestine Action is that they are so moral and just, the normal rules that everyone else lives by shouldn’t apply to them. This hunger strike is just an extension of that same entitlement.
“They are trying to change the policy passed by Parliament through emotional blackmail.
“They may not agree with those policies but they do not have the right to obstruct the democratic process. And they are being treated like any other remand prisoner.”
Prisons Minister Lord Timpson will not negotiate with activists’ legal team – Paul Grover
In response, Lord Timpson said: “While deeply worrying, hunger strikes are not a new issue for our prisons.
“In the last five years, we have done an average of more than 200 per year and we have procedures in place for a long time to ensure the safety of the prisoners.
“Prison healthcare teams provide NHS care and continuously monitor the situation. HMPPS [Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service] it is clear that the allegations that treatment in the hospital is being refused are completely misleading – they will always be taken when there is a need and a number of these prisoners have already been treated in the hospital.
“These prisoners are accused of serious crimes including aggravated robbery and criminal damage.
“Retention decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients.
“Ministers will not meet with them – we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and an independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be completely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.”
A spokesman for Practice Plus Group, which manages healthcare on behalf of the NHS at HMP New Hall, said: “We provide compassionate care in prison and manage any patient who is refusing food in accordance with all relevant policies and protocols, and in partnership with prison teams and the wider NHS.”
NHS England has been contacted for comment.
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