What's happened
As of early 2026, eight Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners in UK custody have been on hunger strike since November 2025, protesting prolonged pre-trial detention and demanding bail, fair trials, and de-proscription of their group. Four remain on strike with rapidly deteriorating health, including hospitalizations and neurological damage risks. The UK government refuses direct engagement despite mounting legal and medical warnings.
What's behind the headline?
Political and Legal Context
The hunger strike exposes deep tensions between UK government policies on national security and human rights obligations. The proscription of Palestine Action under terrorism laws has criminalized activism linked to Palestinian solidarity, raising questions about freedom of protest and due process. The detainees’ extended pre-trial detention—well beyond the statutory six-month limit—highlights systemic delays and potential miscarriages of justice.
Health and Ethical Implications
Medical experts warn of irreversible neurological damage, organ failure, and death, underscoring the urgent need for specialist care. The refusal of the Ministry of Justice to meet hunger strikers or their legal representatives, despite repeated requests and legal threats, suggests a political calculation prioritizing state authority and diplomatic ties over detainee welfare.
Government Response and Public Pressure
The government maintains it follows established protocols and denies mistreatment allegations, but the involvement of MPs, UN Special Rapporteurs, and over 800 medical professionals signals growing international scrutiny. The refusal to engage risks escalating the crisis, potentially leading to fatalities that would provoke public outcry and political fallout.
Forecast and Consequences
Without intervention, the health of the remaining hunger strikers will likely deteriorate further, increasing the risk of death in custody. This could catalyze broader protests and legal challenges, pressuring the government to reconsider its stance on Palestine Action and pre-trial detention policies. The case may also influence future debates on the balance between counter-terrorism measures and civil liberties in the UK.
Relevance to Readers
This story highlights the intersection of justice, human rights, and political activism within the UK prison system. It underscores the consequences of prolonged detention without trial and the ethical responsibilities of governments toward detainees, issues that resonate with broader concerns about the rule of law and democratic accountability.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports on the deteriorating health of hunger strikers like Heba Muraisi, highlighting neurological damage and government inaction, with campaigners accusing ministers of prioritizing ties with Israel over detainee welfare. Al Jazeera provides detailed accounts from the strikers and their families, including exclusive statements from Muraisi and legal efforts to compel government engagement, emphasizing the strike's scale and risks. The Independent offers profiles of individual strikers and political responses, including calls from MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell for government intervention, alongside official denials from the Ministry of Justice. Sky News focuses on the medical emergencies and hospitalizations, quoting family members and prison officials, and notes the government's refusal to meet the strikers or their representatives. The Guardian covers the legal and political dimensions, including the hunger strikers' lawyers' legal threats and the government's cautious approach amid concerns over setting precedents. Together, these sources present a multifaceted picture of a humanitarian crisis entwined with political and legal controversy, illustrating the escalating stakes and the polarized responses within UK society and government.
How we got here
The hunger strike began in November 2025 among eight prisoners charged with break-ins at Israeli-linked Elbit Systems and a UK RAF base. They protest extended pre-trial detention beyond the six-month legal limit and restrictions on their communications. The UK proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group in July 2025, intensifying tensions. The strike is the largest coordinated UK prison hunger strike since 1981.
Go deeper
- What are the main demands of the hunger strikers?
- How has the UK government responded to the hunger strike?
- What are the health risks faced by the hunger strikers?
Common question
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Why Are Prisoners in the UK Going on Hunger Strike?
A growing number of prisoners in the UK are refusing food to protest their detention conditions, legal issues, and political treatment. This has raised concerns about human rights, press freedom, and the government's response. Below, we explore the reasons behind these hunger strikes, how authorities are reacting, and what it means for broader social and political issues.
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Why Are Pro-Palestine Activists on Hunger Strike in UK Prisons?
Pro-Palestine activists in UK prisons have launched a hunger strike that has entered a critical phase, raising urgent questions about their demands, the risks involved, and the government's response. With several prisoners hospitalized and health deteriorating, many are wondering what’s behind this protest and what could happen next. Below, we explore the key issues surrounding this ongoing crisis.
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What’s happening with the UK prison hunger strike?
Recent protests in UK prisons have brought international attention to the treatment of detainees, especially Palestinian solidarity prisoners. These hunger strikes are more than just a protest—they highlight serious concerns about prison conditions, legal rights, and political repression. Curious about what’s driving these protests and how authorities are responding? Below, we answer the most common questions about this urgent issue.
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Why Are UK Palestine Activists on Hunger Strike?
In late 2025, a group of UK Palestine activists have begun a hunger strike to protest their prolonged detention and demand fair treatment. This dramatic action raises questions about their demands, the government's response, and the broader issues of legal rights and political activism in the UK. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this ongoing crisis and what it means for prisoners and activists alike.
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Why Are UK Prisoners on Hunger Strike Now?
In late 2025, a significant hunger strike has emerged among UK prisoners, raising questions about their reasons, demands, and the government's response. Many wonder what’s driving this protest, whether it could lead to serious consequences, and how authorities are handling the crisis. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this urgent issue.
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Why Are UK Prisoners Going on Hunger Strike?
In early 2026, a significant hunger strike has emerged within UK prisons, involving prisoners protesting against prolonged detention and demanding fair treatment. This crisis has raised questions about the reasons behind their actions, the government's response, and the health risks involved. Below, we explore the key issues surrounding this urgent situation and answer common questions about the ongoing UK prison hunger strike.
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