This noisy action of pot banging is meant to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, especially the lack of food and basic supplies. This Palestinian group, which gathers every Thursday at 6pm for six minutes, involves people banging kitchen pots, pans and utensils together. On Thursday 18 December 2025, they drew attention to hunger strikers arrested by the UK Government for supporting Palestine Action, a campaign group committed to ending global participation in Israel’s genocidal regime.
Zara Sultana joins Glasgow protest
Zara Sultana, Your Party MP for Coventry South, joined the Glasgow protest and I had a chance to interview her.
She had spent the whole of the previous night in front of HMP Bronzefield, demanding an ambulance be allowed to reach one of the hunger strikers, and while interviewing she said, “I was at HMP Bronzefield protesting for an ambulance to be dispatched for Qasser Zuhrah, a 20-year-old hunger striker, and for her to receive urgent medical care. She was dying in prison and this Labour Government refused to act to help her, and it was the mobilisation of people who came to HMP Bronzefield that made that happen. I am inspired by this movement that continues to fight for all of our rights, and being here in Glasgow reminds me that there are people all across the UK who continue to mobilise for Palestinian freedom, for the end of genocide, and also our rights here in the UK that continuously are undermined by this Labour Government.”
In addition, she said, “This government does not care about the hunger strikers. It is happy and content and okay with them dying, because that allows them to get away with their complicity in genocide. The hunger strikers have exposed and embarrassed the British state, and that is why they are being treated the way they are in prison, and that is why this government is allowing them to die.”
When I asked about how this situation can be changed, and what expectations she has from the local people and overall in the UK, she replied, “Change will only happen because of ordinary people in Glasgow, Covent Garden and across the UK, mobilising and fighting. That is the only way that this situation that the hunger strikers are in, where their rights are being denied, will change.”
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Medical and legal warnings: Growing national pressure
It’s worth mentioning here, that over 800 doctors, legal experts and family members have urged David Lammy, the Secretary of State for Justice, to meet with and to save, Palestine Action hunger strikers.
After nearly 65 days on hunger strike, eight UK pro-Palestine activists face a high risk of death, unless the UK Government intervenes. They’ve been imprisoned for activism, and most have gone over a year without trial.
Doctors say the strikers have reached a critical point. Five have already been hospitalised.
The strikers are all under 30 years old, and the youngest is just 20.
Political silence and criminalisation of protest
More than 40 UK politicians, across multiple parties, have demanded that David Lammy meet with the strikers. He has refused. All eyes are on Lammy to act. The UK has desperately tried to suppress Palestine activism, including banning the group, Palestine Action, under an anti-terrorism law. Over 2,700 people have now been arrested for supporting Palestine Action.
Latest medical update: Activists at risk of death
According to a report on 8 January 2026 , two activist hunger strikers from the proscribed Palestine Action group, Heba Muraisi and Kamran Ahmed, are at serious risk of death, according to medical professionals closely monitoring the case.
Muraisi and Ahmed have now reached 66 and 59 days without food, respectively.
One Palestine Action-linked prisoner on hunger strike is at “risk of sudden cardiac arrest”, his sister has told Novara Media.
Kamran Ahmed, 28, is experiencing heart muscle shrinkage and has been diagnosed with bradycardia after being admitted to hospital on 7January 2026.
As the Scottish election takes place this year, government actions have angered the whole nation. If anyone dies in prison, their blood will be on Justice Secretary, David Lammy.
Mothers Against Genocide demand media coverage
Mothers Against Genocide Scot are actively protesting in front of the BBC, to support hunger strikers and telling them to cover this incident, to bring attention to this important matter.
Reflection: Humanity, dignity, and moral responsibility
After looking at this hopeless situation, it reminds me of Mahmoud Darwish’s words, “We have on this earth what makes life worth living.”
Every person is worth living. Supporting hunger strikers for Palestine in UK prisons is not a political gesture – it is a human obligation. These prisoners are asking to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity.
If justice cannot enter the prison walls, then our voices must stand outside them, louder than silence, stronger than fear.
If you would like to get involved or take action please contact Mothers Against Genocide Scot.
Update
Yesterday, 14 January, after 73 days on hunger strike, Palestine prisoners Heba, Kamran and Lewie have ended their protest.
Their collective actions have achieved a major victory in the struggle against the arms trade, as Elbit Systems UK, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, has lost a £2 bn in a Ministry of Defence contract.
Umer Khalid remains on hunger strike after restarting as of 10 January.
Four of the remand prisoners are charged with offences related to an alleged break-in at an Elbit Systems site in Filton, Gloucestershire, and four with offences related to an alleged break-in at an RAF base in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.
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