Heba Muraisi’s body is weakening. On day 53 of her hunger strike, each breath feels heavier, each movement more deliberate. She describes a constant ache, bruising blossoming on her arms from repeated blood tests, and a dizziness that clouds her thoughts. Yet, despite the escalating physical toll, her resolve remains unbroken.
“I can feel myself get weaker as each day passes,” she shared in a recent recording, her voice punctuated by long, weary pauses. Even simple tasks, like turning in bed, now bring sharp pain. The struggle to articulate thoughts, to maintain a conversation, is becoming increasingly real.
Muraisi is not alone. Initially, five prisoners joined the protest, but health concerns have forced four to pause their participation. One individual, living with Type 1 Diabetes, now fasts on alternate days. Despite the risks, Muraisi insists her mental fortitude remains strong, fueled by a deep-seated conviction.
Currently held in HMP New Hall, a transfer from HMP Bronzefield, Muraisi faces a growing isolation from her family in Brent. Her arrest in November 2024 stemmed from allegations surrounding a raid on an Israeli weapons manufacturer, Elbit Systems in Bristol, an action that reportedly caused over £1 million in damage.
A trial date isn’t scheduled until June of next year, meaning she could spend nearly two years incarcerated without a conviction – a key grievance driving the hunger strike. She has stated unequivocally that this isn’t a desire for death, but a profound love for life and a refusal to stand by while injustice prevails.
Medical professionals are deeply concerned. Dr. James Smith, an A&E doctor and epidemiologist, warns that the strikers are entering a critical and unpredictable phase. Even survival doesn’t guarantee a full recovery; potential long-term damage to vital organs – kidneys, liver, heart – is a very real threat.
The situation is precarious, Dr. Smith explains, mirroring the rapid and potentially fatal decline seen in patients suffering from acute malnutrition. He emphasizes the possibility of “very sudden and rapid changes” that could have devastating consequences.
Teuta Hoxha is on day 51, Kamran Ahmed on day 50, and Lewie Chiaramello is fasting every other day, currently on day 36. Amu Gib, Jon Cink, Umer Khalid, and Qesser Zuhrah have temporarily halted their protest. This collective action is now considered the largest of its kind since 1981, echoing the tragic events surrounding the IRA prison leader Bobby Sands.
The protest has garnered wider attention, recently involving climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was arrested after displaying a placard in support of the strikers and Palestine Action. Her arrest underscores the growing visibility and controversial nature of the movement.
The core demands of the hunger strikers are multifaceted. They seek an end to censorship within the prison system, immediate bail, a fair trial, the de-proscription of Palestine Action, and the closure of Elbit Systems. These demands reflect a broader challenge to the legal and political structures they believe perpetuate injustice.
Government officials remain firm in their position. Lord Timpson, minister of state for prisons, insists that established procedures are in place to ensure prisoner safety, citing an average of over 200 hunger strikes annually. He maintains that healthcare is provided and hospital care is accessible when needed.
However, he firmly rejects any possibility of direct engagement with the strikers, citing the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary. He emphasizes that remand decisions are made by judges and that intervention by ministers would be “entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate.”
The situation remains tense and uncertain. As days turn into weeks, the physical and emotional toll on the hunger strikers continues to mount, raising profound questions about justice, protest, and the limits of human endurance.
