Pro-Palestine Activist Goes on Hunger Strike to Protest UK Ties to Israeli Atrocities
His protest aims to force the UK government to end its military and diplomatic support for Israel’s genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.
Umer Khalid, 22, spoke to Al Jazeera from prison, emphasizing the desperation behind his protest.
“The only thing that seems to have any impact, whether that is positive or negative, is drastic action,” Khalid, 22, told Al Jazeera from prison via an intermediary.
“The strike reflects the severity of this imprisonment. Being in this prison is not living life. Our lives have been paused. The world spins, and we sit in a concrete room. This strike reflects the severity of my demands.”
Khalid's demands include immediate bail, halting alleged prison censorship such as withheld mail and denied visits, an inquiry into British involvement in the Israeli regime's military actions in Gaza, and releasing RAF surveillance footage from April 1, 2024, when British aid workers died in an Israeli regime attack.
Shifting focus to the incident that led to his arrest, Khalid is one of five activists charged with entering RAF Brize Norton in June and damaging planes used for refueling, an action claimed by Palestine Action to oppose the Israeli regime's aggression.
The UK government labeled Palestine Action a "terrorist" group, a move critics call an overreach against nonviolent resistance to the Israeli regime's crimes against Palestinians.
Khalid denies the charges of conspiracy to commit damage and entering a prohibited area.
He is the last of eight Palestine Action-linked prisoners continuing the hunger strike started in November, after three others ended theirs, citing improved prison conditions and the UK's denial of a contract to Israeli regime arms maker Elbit as victories.
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The British government claims no control over bail, which is judicial, and asserts proper prison procedures are followed.
However, it has resisted demands for a Gaza involvement inquiry and withheld RAF footage details for security reasons.
Critics question UK spy flights over Gaza, suspecting intelligence shared with the Israeli regime.
Asim Qureshi from Cage told Al Jazeera the government's inaction shows disregard for Khalid's life amid the genocide.
Adding to concerns, Khalid has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, heightening risks from his strike.
“I miss him,” his mother, Shabana Khalid, said, fighting back tears.
“He’s starting to feel tired. My first thoughts when I wake up are with Umer. Some nights, I cry myself to sleep.”
She struggles to visit due to her cancer recovery and distance, accusing the prison of blocking appointments.
“My worries are that he’s going to decline very, very quickly,” she said.
His brother Usman noted Umer's determination, supporting the demands but hoping he avoids refusing water.
Umer has instructed prison staff not to intervene if he loses consciousness.
“Alhamdulillah (Thank God), I am well. I feel very strong both mentally and physically,” Umer said.
“I can usually use the prison gym once a week, but I’m not using it during my strike.”
His trial is delayed until January 2027, exceeding typical pre-trial limits.
Friend Danyal Osman expressed anxiety but full support for Umer's freedom.
Source: Al Jazeera
