The government faces a mounting crisis as five members of the proscribed group Palestine Action continue a hunger strike in prison, a protest that has now drawn in high-profile climate activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg was arrested in central London on Tuesday 23 December 2025 during a demonstration in support of the prisoners, intensifying the political and ethical dilemma for Justice Secretary David Lammy.
The Hunger Strike and Demands
The protest began on 2 November 2025. Of the original eight prisoners, three have now ended their strike, including Qesser Zuhrah who recently stopped. Five remain: Amy Gardiner-Gibson (Amu Gib), Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmad, and Lewie Chiaramello. Gib and Zuhrah are currently hospitalised. Gardiner-Gibson, Muraisi, Hoxha, and Ahmad have reportedly refused all food for between 42 and 49 days, while Chiaramello, who has diabetes, is eating only every other day. All are aged between 20 and 31 and await trial in 2026 or 2027.
The strikers' demands are extensive and politically charged. They are calling for immediate bail, a fair trial which includes the release of unredacted correspondence between British and Israeli officials, the unbanning of Palestine Action, and the closure of UK factories they allege are supplying arms to Israel. They also accuse prison officers of denying them mail, phone calls, and books.
A Political and Legal Quagmire for Lammy
Justice Secretary David Lammy finds his room for manoeuvre severely limited. The core demands involve major policy shifts—reversing the July 2024 proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation and halting arms sales—which are far beyond the remit of the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, the decision to grant bail rests with the independent judiciary, not the government.
The prisoners' lawyers have requested talks with Lammy, which he has refused. They have warned they will seek a judicial review in the High Court if he continues to deny dialogue. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated Lammy "has responded to and will continue to respond to correspondence on this issue, and is being kept informed of the situation."
Historical Precedents and Grave Risks
The situation evokes grim historical parallels. The 1981 death of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, who was an MP, led to a significant surge in violence. In the early 20th century, the force-feeding of suffragettes provoked public outrage, leading to the controversial "Cat and Mouse Act" of 1913, which allowed for the temporary release of weakened prisoners only to re-arrest them later.
Current NHS and prison guidelines state that force-feeding or administering a drip requires consent, unless a prisoner is deemed to lack mental capacity. The lawyers for the strikers have issued a stark warning: "There is the real and increasingly likely potential that young British citizens will die in prison, having never even been convicted of an offence." Such an outcome could have severe consequences, potentially sparking the very unrest the group's proscription aimed to prevent.
With Greta Thunberg's arrest amplifying global attention, the pressure on David Lammy and the Starmer government is acute. They must navigate a path between upholding counter-terrorism policy, respecting judicial independence, and confronting the potentially fatal humanitarian crisis unfolding in the prison system. The coming days will be a critical test of their resolve and their commitment to justice.
