Members of the public urged the Taoiseach to intervene during the hunger strikes by members of Palestine Action imprisoned in the UK.
Documents obtained by Breakingnews.ie under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 show widespread concern from the public over the health and wellbeing of the hunger strikers, reports Breaking News.
Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi, and Lewie Chiaramello went on hunger strike for 73 days, ending in January after the UK government blocked a €2.3 billion contract for Israeli-based defence firm Elbit Systems.
Emails to the Taoiseach highlighted fears for the strikers’ condition during their protest, reports Breaking News.
One person wrote: “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,” reports Breaking News.
Another email stated: “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,” reports Breaking News.
The Government also faced criticism for not doing enough for Palestine, with one person warning: “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,” reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach was also asked to reach out to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the strikers’ health.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
Several emails also questioned the UK government’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
One person wrote: “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,” reports Breaking News.
Another said: “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,” reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach was reminded of Ireland’s own history with hunger strikers, with references to the ten republicans who died on hunger strike in Maze Prison in 1981 during the Troubles.
One person wrote: “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,” reports Breaking News.
Another 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,” reports Breaking News.
A further email drew parallels with historical Irish hunger strikers: “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,” reports Breaking News.
Last Friday, a UK high court ruled the ban on Palestine Action as a terror group was unlawful, “disproportionate” and should be overturned.
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