Public called for Taoiseach to intervene in Palestine Action hunger strikes

Michael Bolton

Members of the public pleaded with the Taoiseach to intervene during the hunger strikes by members of Palestine Action in prison in the UK.

Documents seen by Breakingnews.ie through the Freedom of Information Act 2014, show concern by the public about the condition of the hunger strikers in prison.

Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi and Lewie Chiaramello were on hunger strike for 73 days, which ended in January after the UK government denied Israeli-based defence firm Elbit Systems a €2.3 billion contract.

In emails to the Taoiseach, members of the public raised concerns about their health during the hunger strikes.

One person said: "I'm writing today out of extreme concern for the two Palestine Action hunger strikers at risk of death as they enter 65 days and 58 days respectively of a hunger strike in support of Palestine.

"Heba Muraisi and Kamran Ahmed began their hunger strike to call for immediate bail, ending the ban on Palestine Action, closing down the sites of the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems and ending censorship of the prisoners' communications."

Another person said: "These hunger strikers are now seriously ill and yet the British government will not act. They are demanding the closure of weapons factories supplying Israel, the immediate lifting of the ban on Palestine Action, an end to the mistreatment of prisoners and their release on bail now. They must be released immediately!"

The Government also came in for criticism as they were accused of not doing more for Palestine.

"They could literally die any minute, and the UK government seems happy to allow this.

"We are sliding into very dangerous territory, and your government's unwavering support for the US will come back to haunt us. Allowing the US to use Shannon as a de facto military base makes Ireland vulnerable to targeting by other countries due to its strategic importance.

The Taoiseach was also asked to contact British prime minister Keir Starmer regarding the hunger strikers' condition.

"I respectfully ask that you urge Prime Minister Starmer and minister Lammy to make direct contact with the hunger strikers, or to ensure that meaningful engagement takes place with them, with a view to agreeing on humanitarian concessions that might allow this hunger strike to end before further irreversible harm or loss of life occurs."

The decision to label Palestine Action as a terrorist group by the UK government was also brought into question.

In an email to the Taoiseach, one person said: "A group that cares about justice and an end to military violence is deemed a terror organisation and alleged members are on remand in prison. It is utterly unacceptable in a so-called democracy."

Another person wrote: "Palestine Action is a non-violent direct action group protesting the UK's complicity in Israel's actions in Gaza. Designating a non-violent protest organisation opposing an ongoing genocide as a terrorist organisation represents a serious abuse of state power and a dangerous expansion of counter-terror legislation beyond its lawful purpose."

The Taoiseach was also reminded of Ireland's history when it came to hunger strikers.

References were made to the 10 republicans who died on hunger strike in the Maze Prison in 1981 during the Troubles in the North.

As one person said, "Have we learned nothing from the hunger strikers in the North? Is this current situation, where hunger strikers in England are now on day 46 of hunger strike, not worth standing up for?

"The hunger strikers led by Bobby Sands were also falsely accused of being "terrorists" as are the Palestine action activists. International pressure needs to be put on the UK government."

Another person said, "Please do what you can to help with this hunger strike. In view of our own history, I feel we have some expertise to offer."

While another email said: "We see in the resistance of Palestine Action hunger strikers echoes of Tomås Aghas in 1917, of MacSwiney in Brixton prison in 1920, and of those who suffered in the H-Block cages in 1981.

"We see the same unbroken will that carried Bobby Sands and the hunger strikers beyond the bars and into history, striking a blow at the heart of British Imperialism."

Last Friday, a UK high court ruled the decision to ban Palestine Action as a terror group was unlawful, “disproportionate” and should be overturned.