Hunger Strike Ends in London Prison After Prisoner Falls into Organ Failure
A British-Palestinian prisoner, 22-year-old Umer Khalid, has ended his hunger strike after being hospitalized with organ failure two days into the protest. The last action by Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners to draw attention to the Israeli government's actions was sparked by a failed attempt to award a lucrative £2 billion arms contract to the Israeli company Elbit Systems.
Khalid, who suffered from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and was being held at Wormwood Scrubs in west London, refused food on January 10th as part of an eight-prisoner coordinated action. He paused after 12 days due to ill health but restarted his protest on January 23rd by also refusing water.
The prisoner's decision to escalate his hunger strike raised fears that he could die within days. However, Khalid has now agreed to a slow and dangerous refeeding process, allowing him to drink again and has reportedly received several concessions from the authorities.
Among these concessions are the granting of a meeting with prison governor, receipt of previously withheld post and clothes, and lifting of restrictions on prison visits that had been in place since his imprisonment awaiting trial last July. Khalid's demands for a fair trial, deproscription of Palestine Action, closure of Elbit's UK sites, and an end to censorship of communications have largely been accepted.
However, the prisoner's remarks during Tuesday's press conference underscored the harsh conditions he faced while on hunger strike. "I am too strong, too loud, too powerful – and we as a collective are the same," Khalid said in his statement. "I ask Allah to take my life when He is pleased with me, and not before."
Khalid's condition has highlighted concerns among human rights advocates about how prisoners of conscience are being treated in British prisons. Labour MP John McDonnell has called for an inquiry into the treatment of the prisoners in light of what he described as "unacceptable" conditions within the prison system.
The eight prisoners involved in the coordinated action, who were charged with offenses related to break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action, are all set to spend more than a year in jail before going to trial.
A British-Palestinian prisoner, 22-year-old Umer Khalid, has ended his hunger strike after being hospitalized with organ failure two days into the protest. The last action by Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners to draw attention to the Israeli government's actions was sparked by a failed attempt to award a lucrative £2 billion arms contract to the Israeli company Elbit Systems.
Khalid, who suffered from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and was being held at Wormwood Scrubs in west London, refused food on January 10th as part of an eight-prisoner coordinated action. He paused after 12 days due to ill health but restarted his protest on January 23rd by also refusing water.
The prisoner's decision to escalate his hunger strike raised fears that he could die within days. However, Khalid has now agreed to a slow and dangerous refeeding process, allowing him to drink again and has reportedly received several concessions from the authorities.
Among these concessions are the granting of a meeting with prison governor, receipt of previously withheld post and clothes, and lifting of restrictions on prison visits that had been in place since his imprisonment awaiting trial last July. Khalid's demands for a fair trial, deproscription of Palestine Action, closure of Elbit's UK sites, and an end to censorship of communications have largely been accepted.
However, the prisoner's remarks during Tuesday's press conference underscored the harsh conditions he faced while on hunger strike. "I am too strong, too loud, too powerful – and we as a collective are the same," Khalid said in his statement. "I ask Allah to take my life when He is pleased with me, and not before."
Khalid's condition has highlighted concerns among human rights advocates about how prisoners of conscience are being treated in British prisons. Labour MP John McDonnell has called for an inquiry into the treatment of the prisoners in light of what he described as "unacceptable" conditions within the prison system.
The eight prisoners involved in the coordinated action, who were charged with offenses related to break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action, are all set to spend more than a year in jail before going to trial.
I'm so relieved Umer Khalid is okay after that terrifying hunger strike 
! It's wild how one guy can spark such a huge controversy and get major concessions from the authorities 
. I mean, £2 billion arms contract? That's some serious power play 
. But seriously, the fact that he got to meet with the prison governor, get his post back, and have visits lifted is a big win for him 
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. Labour MP John McDonnell's call for an inquiry is totally justified – we need to make sure these guys are being treated humanely 
. And Khalid's words at that press conference? Chilling 
. It's like, he was literally saying "I'm willing to die if it means our cause is just" 
. I'm so inspired by his courage and conviction 
.
? It's just as the Israeli government is trying to roll out its new arms deal... what a coincidence 
!
. I mean, eight prisoners coordinating an action and all getting charged with stuff? That just seems like a whole lotta trouble.
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His struggles and sacrifices are giving me goosebumps 
I'm so relieved he's been granted concessions and can finally drink again 
But honestly, the thought of him facing organ failure was too much to handle 
His courage and determination in the face of harsh conditions is truly inspiring 
#JusticeForUmer
what do u think about this whole thing? r we gonna see more protests like this in the future? 
. I mean, a slow refeeding process is not exactly gentle on the body 
. And now we're hearing about how he's been mistreated while being held in prison 
. The fact that he had to ask for permission to meet with someone just shows how much power these authorities have over you 
. It's just sad to think that something like this is happening to a young person who was just fighting for what they believe in 
. I hope Khalid gets the justice he deserves and that it sparks some real change in the prison system 
he was trying to draw attention to Israel's actions on arms contract deal with Elbit Systems... it's crazy how harsh conditions in British prisons are causing human rights concerns 
OMG u gotta feel 4 Umer Khalid fam!! He's been through so much & still strong enough 2 speak out 
. I'm so relieved he can drink again & get some concessions from the authorities 
. It's heartbreaking that these prisoners of conscience are being treated unfairly 
... 12 days without food and water is just not right. I can imagine how scared he must've been feeling, knowing his health could deteriorate so quickly 
... those Palestinian prisoners deserve our support! 
The fact that he's getting some concessions from the authorities is a small victory, but I hope this sparks change and better treatment for all prisoners of conscience 
. And, yeah, concessions like a meeting with the prison governor and clothes are a good start, but it's about time.
. It's one thing to stand up for what you believe in, but not at the expense of your own life.
. And the authorities were all like "oh no, we need to make him talk" 
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need to keep an eye on these things and hold ppl accountable 
n also the goverment gave him some concessions like lettin him meet w/ his governor n lettin him get his mail nd clothes back 
labor mp john mcdonnell is callin 4 an inquiry inta how they r treatin these prisoners