Three activists from the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action have ceased a prolonged hunger strike after 73 days, following what they claim is a significant government concession related to an Israeli defence contractor.
Strike Ends as Key Demand Reportedly Met
According to the campaign group Prisoners for Palestine, the three individuals – identified as Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi, and Lewie Chiaramello – began the process of 're-feeding' on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. The group asserts the hunger strike ended because the UK Government denied a £2 billion contract to Israeli-based defence firm Elbit Systems, which they described as a central objective of their protest.
The activists are currently in prison awaiting trial. They face charges of alleged break-ins or criminal damage carried out on behalf of Palestine Action before the organisation was proscribed under terrorism legislation. All three deny the allegations and have called for the charges to be dropped.
One Protester Continues, Others Begin Recovery
Despite this development, the protest within the prison system is not completely over. Umer Khalid remains the last hunger striker, as confirmed by the Prisoners for Palestine website. The group also stated that other imprisoned activists, including Teuta Hoxha, Jon Cink, Qesser Zuhrah, and Amu Gib, have now started re-feeding in line with medical advice.
The collective hunger strike commenced on 2 November, and over its course, several participants required hospital treatment due to their deteriorating health. Last Friday, national leaders of prison healthcare met with representatives of the striking prisoners to discuss conditions and treatment recommendations.
A Statement of Defiance and Celebration
In a defiant statement, Prisoners for Palestine declared: “While these prisoners end their hunger strike, the resistance has just begun. Banning a group and imprisoning our comrades has backfired on the British state, direct action is alive and the people will drive Elbit out of Britain for good.”
Lewie Chiaramello framed the moment as a victory, stating it was a “time for celebration” and “a time to rejoice and to embrace our joy as revolution and as liberation.” They attributed their actions to inspiration drawn from the Palestinian cause, adding, “We do this because of Palestine, because we’ve been inspired, because we’ve been empowered to take action and to try to realise our dreams for a free Palestine, for an emancipated world.”
The Ministry of Justice has been approached by the Press Association for comment on the situation.
