Prisoners for Palestine prepare to hunger-strike after appeal to British government is ignored

The following press release has been issued by Prisoners4Palestine and is being published here in full.

Over a week ago, in a letter to the Home Secretary, Prisoners for Palestine warned the British government that pro-Palestine prisoners, all of whom have been unjustly treated, and imprisoned for up to a year without trial, were preparing to go on hunger strike. Many of these prisoners were arrested in dramatic dawn raids, with the police misusing counter-terrorism powers, something which has even been condemned by the UN. They have faced systematic abuse throughout their incarceration, and since the proscription of Palestine Action in July, the level of abuse and mistreatment has escalated. The prisoners feel they have no other choice, but to launch a rolling hunger strike in support of a principled set of demands, which include an end to interference with their communications, the right to a fair trial, and the deproscription of Palestine Action.

The letter sent to the Home Secretary by Prisoners for Palestine has gone unanswered and ignored. Consequently, the prisoners have advised that a rolling hunger strike will commence on the 2nd November, Balfour Day, when the first of the prisoners will refuse food.

Despite the indifference of the government to the impending hunger-strike, support for the prisoners continues to grow. A well-attended and vocal demonstration was held outside the Home Office yesterday, and numerous groups and organisations have already pledged support, including Defend Our Juries, Campaign Against The Arms Trade, CAGE International, and Black Lives Matter UK.

Since Palestine Action were proscribed, by the British Government, as a 'terrorist' organisation, over 2000 people have been arrested in England and Wales, mainly for holding up cardboard signs reading, 'I oppose Genocide. I support Palestine Action.' Most have been arrested at mass protests organised by Defend Our Juries. There have been similar 'Lift The Ban' actions in Scotland and the North of Ireland, but no arrests made. The proscription will be challenged, by way of Judicial Review in November.

Today, Prisoners for Palestine and Defend Our Juries held a joint online press conference, which was chaired by Jennifer Nadel, with contributions from Francesca Nadin of Prisoners for Palestine, Clare Hinchcliffe, mother of Zoe Rogers of the Filton 24, Steve Masters, an RAF veteran arrested for holding a sign supporting Palestine Action, Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo prisoner and director of CAGE, and John McDonnell MP.

Speaking on behalf of Prisoners for Palestine, Francesca Nadin, former Palestine Action prisoner said: "It's no great surprise that the government has ignored the prisoners' demands, this is simply a continuation of the corruption and violence enacted by the British state- not only upon the prisoners, but most importantly on the Palestinian people. It seems that they believe that they can act against the wishes of the people, but we are here to tell them otherwise. The prisoners lead the way with resolve and moral clarity and we must heed their call. We are here today with Defend Our Juries to show the British state that we will not be intimidated into silence, on the contrary, we are fighting for the same cause and will continue to escalate. For justice, for freedom, to stop the genocide in Palestine."

In a pre-recorded video [video available in dropbox], John McDonnell MP said that he voted against the proscription of Palestine Action because he believed it was a misuse of the existing legislation. He said that he was very concerned about the arrest of so many people, simply for holding up a placard, and was really worried about the imprisoned activists, and the fact they could be on remand for up to 2 years, supporting their release on bail, and their right to a fair trial. John concluded, “I would urge the government to lift the proscription, end the prosecutions, and make sure that in future, we are treating protest as a civil liberty, a basic human right, and not an act of terrorism."

There are currently 33 pro-Palestine prisoners being held without trial in British jails.

Photos and videos can be accessed here: Prisoners4Palestine Photos and Videos

Free to reproduce with relevant credit.