December 17, 2025
Activists graffiti the 8 hunger strikers’ demands across the Deputy PM’s north London office
Featured Image: Shut The System; activists cover Justice Secretary David Lammy’s office in graffiti
A PALESTINE ACTION hunger striker was rushed to hospital some 24 hours after she reported needing urgent medical attention on her 46th day without food at HMP Bronzefield today.
Supporters including Zarah Sultana MP, doctors and trade unionists demanded immediate hospitalisation and independent medical assessment for 20-year-old Qesser Zuhrah for more than 12 hours before she was transferred out of the site by ambulance.
The Your Party MP said that Ms Zuhrah had been “refused an ambulance by the prison. She is critically ill and at immediate risk of dying.”
Online footage showed protesters chanting “let the doctor go” as a man was arrested around the time an ambulance left the scene at about 2.30pm.
Ms Zuhrah has been on remand at HMP Bronzefield awaiting trial over an August 2024 break-in at an Israeli defence firm near Bristol by the direct action group.
She is among dozens of Palestine Action activists who have been detained well over the six-month custody threshold after it was proscribed in July.
Ms Zuhrah was reportedly unable to stand and began suffering “severe” pain that required urgent medical attention from Tuesday afternoon.
Campaigners for her and other hunger strikers said that repeated calls for emergency care were made, but “prison staff have so far refused entry to ambulances and delayed treatment overnight.”
The demonstration was held outside the prison from 1.20am and the demands of the eight hunger strikers were graffitied across Mr Lammy’s north London office by Shut the System Activists.
The statement included a call for an end to media censorship, immediate bail, the right to a fair trial, the de-proscription of Palestine Action and to close all sites of Israel’s main arms supplier, Elbit Systems.
South East Coast Ambulance Service said that it did not comment on individual cases, and referred queries to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), which was contacted for comment.
PM Sir Keir Starmer was meanwhile accused of “a lack of humanity toward people at serious risk of death” by Jeremy Corbyn MP.
The former Labour leader asked him if the MoJ would meet lawyers for the hunger strikers in the Commons.
Mr Corbyn told Sir Keir that “these are all prisoners on remand, they’re not convicted of anything. A further prisoner has been taken to hospital, as have others.
“Many people are very concerned about the regular breaches of prison conditions and prison rules in respect of these hunger strikers.
“Will he make arrangements for the Ministry of Justice to meet representatives of hunger strikers to discuss these breaches of the conditions that they are experiencing at the present time.”
Sir Keir replied that “he will appreciate the rules and procedures in place in relation to hunger strikes, and we’re following those rules and procedures.”
More than 50 MPs and peers had on Tuesday joined Mr Corbyn in demanding that Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy “immediately” meet the legal representatives.
Diane Abbott, Zarah Sultana, Ayoub Khan, John McDonnell and Lord Hendy KC were among those who signed the open letter telling Mr Lammy to take “responsibility and show some humanity before it is too late.”
Mr Lammy’s office was targeted by protesters from Shut The System today, who graffitied their demands in red on the north London building.
The activists called for an end to media censorship, immediate bail, the right to a fair trial, the de-proscription of Palestine Action, and to close all sites of Israel’s main arms supplier, Elbit Systems.
Campaign groups and unions also called for action, with RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey saying: “Regardless of the allegations against these individuals, the authorities have a clear obligation to ensure humane treatment and to protect life.
“The government must act now to protect lives and meet with the prisoners’ legal representatives without delay.”
Amnesty International UK’s Kerry Moscogiuri said: “This cruel misuse of terrorism legislation is a shameful moment for the UK government.
“It must urgently do everything in its power to bring an end to this terrible situation.”
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman urged ministers to allow Ms Zuhrah to receive medical care.
Meanwhile, in a further crackdown, heads of Greater Manchester Police and the Metropolitan Police announced that protesters chanting “globalise the intifada” will now be arrested because the “context has changed” in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:
“The escalation of the protest at HMP Bronzefield is completely unacceptable. While we support the right to protest, it is deeply concerning that a member of staff has now been injured and protestors are gaining access to staff entrances — putting hard-working staff and security at risk.
“Prisoners’ wellbeing is continually assessed, and appropriate action is taken, including hospital treatment where required. His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has assured Ministers that all cases of prisoner food refusal are being managed in accordance with the relevant policy, and with appropriate medical assessment and support – consistent with prisoner rights.”
A police spokesman said: “At 9.53am, Surrey Police received an update that protesters attempted to gain entry to restricted areas of the prison.
“Officers were deployed to the scene and supported prison staff in removing the protesters from the building, during which one of the prison staff was assaulted.
“Surrey Police arrested a man on suspicion of assaulting an emergency services worker.
“At the point of arresting this man, several people became disruptive towards police and a police officer was assaulted. A person has been arrested in connection with this.
“The protesters have since been blocking the road, delaying our ability to get medical assistance to the injured officer. This has also caused disruption to prison transport causing an impact on wider policing activity in Surrey.
“A police vehicle has been damaged. A further arrest has been made on suspicion of criminal damage.”
Detective Superintendent Matt Barcraft-Barnes said: “We will support people’s rights, including those involved in lawful protest; however, this is balanced with the impact on the wider community, and I condemn the actions of those involved in extensive disorder and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. It is unacceptable that two emergency services workers have been assaulted in today’s incident.”
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