cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/41143386
By Areeb Ullah
Published date: 2 January 2026 13:52 GMT
Last update: 08:52 ESTAn activist held on remand on charges linked to the direct action group Palestine Action in UK prison has been hospitalised for the fifth time after going on hunger strike for more than 50 days.
Kamran Ahmed is one of eight pro-Palestine activists who began a hunger strike last year after Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, failed to respond to a letter setting out concerns over their treatment.
The group’s demands include immediate bail, an end to interference with their personal communications in prison, and the de-proscription of Palestine Action, which accuses the UK government of complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Truly horrifying depth of depravity from the government.
If the government force-fed them, people would also (rightly) complain.
If the government released anybody that went on hunger strike, people would also (rightly) complain.
Genuinely, what would you say the best course of action is in regards to prisoners refusing to eat?
I think the trouble is that 18+months of detention without trial is barbaric.
To actually spend 18 months in prison, you’d need at least a 36 month sentence, so something like violent assault, or non-penetrative sexual assault.
Someone awaiting trial for property damage should not be receiving the same punishment as someone convicted of sexual assault.
So in this case, I’d say the best course of action is to recognise that what we’re doing is inhumane, kick off a full review of pre-trial detention (or detention in general), arrange special bail conditions for these prisoners, and tell them to shove the rest of their demands up their arses.
I appreciate the british government is unlikely to end its support of zionism anytime soon with its current leadership, but maintaining the illusion of fairness under law is key to avoid the accusation that protests against the occupation of Palestine are going to be treated differently to other protests.
If the government released anybody that went on hunger strike, people would also (rightly) complain.
This is an interesting comment, because it suggests these hunger strikers are doing it to be released, rather than be treated equally within the system. You wouldn’t want to misrepresent the situation.
What do you mean by support of Zionism? The UK government wants a 2 state solution and has become increasingly pro-palestine. It’s true the government doesn’t want the eradication of Israel, but neither does its population.
And how are they being treated differently? They’re being treated the same as anybody else jailed for support/involvement with a proscribed group.
And yeah, you’re right, I wouldn’t want to misrepresent the situation. That’s why I’m not misrepresenting anything.
The UK government wants a 2 state solution
Which is a fully zionist position. Supporting the existence of a settler state is abhorrent to begin with, the government to then publicly support an ideology that requires an ethnostate is sickening.
And how are they being treated differently?
support/involvement with a proscribed group.
Them being proscribed is being treated differently, when groups protested Saudi Arabia and East Timor they weren’t proscribed.
Which is a fully zionist position. Supporting the existence of a settler state is abhorrent to begin with, the government to then publicly support an ideology that requires an ethnostate is sickening.
I don’t like that Israel was formed either, but they were. That genie is out of the bottle. People have been born there for generations now, it’s not their fault, and they should have self-determination just like anybody else.
Let’s also not pretend that if Israel and Palestine were united under one banner that things would go well for the minority population.
A two state solution is the least bad outcome, and that’s why even Palestine themselves support that outcome.
Them being proscribed is being treated differently, when groups protested Saudi Arabia and East Timor they weren’t proscribed.
Those groups didn’t cripple an already incapacitated policewoman by hitting them in the back with a sledgehammer.
Those groups didn’t ram-raid a factory with workers inside.
Those groups didn’t break onto an RAF base and destroy the engines of two jets.
There’s a reason why only PA was proscribed and none of the others were. I’ve been to a pro-Palestine march and may go to another if one is near me. I have no fear of arrest, as I’m not a supporter of PA or any of their above actions.
I don’t like that Israel was formed either, but they were. That genie is out of the bottle. People have been born there for generations now, it’s not their fault, and they should have self-determination just like anybody else.
No different to Thatchers position on South Africa. The black south african’s being tortured and crippled has happened for too long for anything to change, so we just have to live with it right?
it’s not their fault
Most people in occupied Palestine have chosen to move there, they are precisely at fault and are choosing to be neglectful parents bringing a child into an occupation.
Let’s also not pretend that if Israel and Palestine were united under one banner that things would go well for the minority population.
That is also a zionist position, israel existing and continuing to exist is an admission of wanting the apartheid system to continue and the suffering that exists today to be committed against the next generation. The ‘israelis’ will be fine doing the same thing white south african’s did, move to Perth.
The minority population is also the current one living under apartheid so I’m not sure what your reason would be to say that improving the situation would be not worth doing this idea anyway. Its starting to sound like you don’t actually want the Palestinians lives to ever materially improve, even via minor reforms.
A two state solution is the least bad outcome, and that’s why even Palestine themselves support that outcome.
What we have now is what the two state solution will end up in eventually, so rather than put 2-3 more generations through the same suffering to start again, we can just skip to the part where the white settlers move back to Russia, Lithuania and Brooklyn.
Those groups didn’t cripple an already incapacitated policewoman by hitting them in the back with a sledgehammer.
The police officer chose to brutalise someone, they don’t get to complain when people defend themselves. She could’ve stayed home, but being a police officer demands you be the kind of person to choose cruelty, so what happened is precisely what was always going to happen.
Also important to note the police officer isn’t crippled, just a small detail you need to update.
No different to Thatchers position on South Africa
Thinking people have the right to self-determination is very different to Thatcher’s views on South Africa, don’t be daft.
Most people in occupied Palestine have chosen to move there
Incorrect.
That is also a zionist position, israel existing and continuing to exist is an admission of wanting the apartheid system to continue and the suffering that exists today to be committed against the next generation.
No, Israel existing is an admission of reality. People there today aren’t at fault for its formation, and like it or not, those people are human beings, not cattle. They have the right to self-determination.
Think of it like Northern Ireland. Should their right to self determination be ignored just because many of their ancestors were settlers who probably shouldn’t have been there? No. Of course not. The people there today are not responsible for the sins of their ancestors, and they have the right to self-determination.
The ‘israelis’ will be fine doing the same thing white south african’s did, move to Perth.
I’m not really sure why you’ve put Israelis in scare quotes. Most white South Africans stayed in South Africa.
And Jesus, I didn’t realise you wanted to oust Israelis from their home as well. Surely you realise that ethnic cleansing like that is a rather fringe viewpoint?
The police officer chose to brutalise someone
Didn’t happen.
they don’t get to complain when people defend themselves.
Defending yourself is taking a sledgehammer out with you and hitting a woman lying on the ground in the back repeatedly until their back is broken?
Also important to note the police officer isn’t crippled, just a small detail you need to update.
She was crippled. Her back was broken.
Your love of violence and, seemingly, ethnic cleansing in quite disgusting. I think I’m just going to end this conversation here. I don’t think you’re being rational. Defending behaviour like that has no place in civil discussion.
E: omfg I’m such a moron. A 2.5 year old account that suddenly became active 3 months ago and speaks exclusively about Israel. I’ve spent my morning debating with a bot or a troll.
