A Palestine Action activist has entered a critical phase of a 69-day hunger strike in a Yorkshire prison, with medical experts warning she is now at serious risk of death.
Critical Condition After Weeks Without Food
Heba Muraisi, 31, has refused all food at HMP New Hall and has reportedly lost over 10 kilograms in weight. Supporters state she is struggling to breathe, suffering from severe headaches and lightheadedness, and is physically exhausted. A friend described her as "very gaunt" with prominent cheekbones, noting her appearance has changed dramatically.
Francesca Nadin, Muraisi's next of kin, confirmed the activist is having difficulty breathing and thinking clearly, though her mental resolve remains strong. A leading neurologist who has studied prison hunger strikes for two decades has stated Muraisi faces a serious risk of permanent health damage and potential death.
The Demands and the Legal Stance
Muraisi, along with two other remaining strikers – Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmad – are demanding immediate bail or transfer to prisons closer to their families. They also call for the de-proscription of Palestine Action and for the UK to end support for companies supplying weapons to Israel.
The activists were arrested for alleged involvement in break-ins and criminal damage. The incidents include an action at an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, which allegedly caused over £1 million in damage and left a prison officer with a fractured spine. Another involved activists infiltrating RAF Brize Norton and spraying red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft.
Prisons Minister Lord Timpson has stated the individuals are charged with serious offences, including aggravated burglary and criminal damage. He emphasised that remand decisions are made by independent judges and that it would be "entirely unconstitutional" for ministers to intervene. He also countered claims about medical care, stating NHS prison teams continuously monitor the situation and that hospital treatment is provided when needed.
A Protest Echoing History
This hunger strike is noted as the largest in the UK since 1981, when ten IRA prisoners died. Muraisi has now surpassed the length of the strike undertaken by IRA member Bobby Sands, who died in 1981. Originally, eight activists began the protest in November, but five have since suspended their action over health fears. One participant has switched to an intermittent fast due to an underlying health condition.
Neurologist Dr David Nicholl highlighted a major risk known as refeeding syndrome, which can be fatal when someone who has starved for a long period begins eating again without careful medical supervision.
All three remaining hunger strikers deny the charges against them. Their supporters continue to voice alarm as the protest reaches a potentially deadly conclusion, placing the spotlight on prison protest tactics, pre-trial detention, and the UK's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
