A desperate plea for medical attention ignited a tense standoff at HMP Bronzefield, as supporters rallied around Qesser Zuhrah, a pro-Palestine activist on the 46th day of a hunger strike. Zuhrah, awaiting trial for alleged involvement in a protest targeting an Elbit Systems plant, was transferred to hospital only after hours of mounting pressure and a vigil led by MP Zarah Sultana.
The situation escalated rapidly. Sultana arrived at the prison in the early hours, vowing to remain until an ambulance was permitted to transport Zuhrah for urgent care. Her impassioned calls to Justice Secretary David Lammy went unanswered, fueling fears that the prisoner’s life was at risk. “If she dies, it will be on their hands,” Sultana declared, her voice echoing the growing desperation.
The protest quickly drew a crowd of around 100 supporters, many adorned with keffiyeh scarves and waving Palestinian flags. Chants of “shame on you” directed at departing prison staff underscored the depth of feeling surrounding the case, part of what organizers are calling the largest hunger strike within UK prisons since 1981.
Inside the prison, Zuhrah’s condition had deteriorated to a critical point. Unable to stand, she urgently needed hospital assessment, including blood tests and scans unavailable within the prison walls, according to Dr. Olivia Brandon, who was present at the scene. Prison staff initially resisted allowing an ambulance access, prolonging the agonizing wait.
The delay sparked further unrest. Protesters attempted to block a police car, leading to clashes with officers and the arrest of a man on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. The demonstration disrupted prison transport and wider policing activity across Surrey, as protesters blocked the road, hindering medical assistance to an injured officer.
Zuhrah is one of seven activists currently on hunger strike, protesting their prolonged pre-trial detention and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Teuta Hoxha, and Kamran Ahmed joined the protest after being arrested in connection with similar direct actions against arms manufacturers and an RAF base.
In a statement released through the Prisoners for Palestine campaign, Zuhrah urged supporters to intensify their actions, calling for widespread disruption of the arms industry and a surge of protest in the streets. Her words resonated with those gathered outside the prison, a testament to the unwavering commitment to the cause.
As the ambulance finally arrived, a wave of emotion swept through the crowd. Tears flowed, hugs were exchanged, and cheers erupted as the vehicle, escorted by police, departed for the hospital. The arrival marked a temporary victory, but the underlying issues of prolonged detention and the right to protest remain fiercely contested.
Baroness Jenny Jones, a Green Party peer, highlighted the broader implications of the case, questioning the authorities’ tactics of prolonged pre-trial detention and its potential impact on democratic expression. She emphasized the human rights concerns at the heart of the protest, calling for a fair trial and an end to what she described as a tactic to suppress dissent.
The Surrey Police confirmed two emergency workers were injured during the clashes, and multiple arrests were made for assault and criminal damage. The incident underscores the volatile atmosphere surrounding the protest and the challenges faced by authorities in balancing the right to protest with maintaining public order.
HMP Bronzefield maintains that all prisoners have access to healthcare and are managed according to established UK prison policies. However, the events of the day raise serious questions about the responsiveness of the system and the treatment of vulnerable prisoners on hunger strike.
