'Re-feeding has begun!' Palestine activists END hunger strike and claim victory over Labour

A trio of pro-Palestine activists have ended their "hunger strike" in prison after 73 days.

Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi and Lewie Chiaramello all had something to eat on Wednesday night.

The three are accused of break-ins and criminal damage at key military facilities in Britain on behalf of Palestine Action, shortly before the group was designated a terrorist organisation.

They are being held on remand while they await trial.

But as the three brought their fast to an end, they claimed victory over Labour.

Just days ago, the Government denied an Israeli-based defence firm Elbit Systems a £2billion contract - which campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said was "a key demand of the hunger strikers".

The group said in a crowing statement: "While these prisoners end their hunger strike, the resistance has just begun.

"Banning a group and imprisoning our comrades has backfired on the British state, direct action is alive and the people will drive Elbit out of Britain for good."

Protesters had demanded immediate bail, the end of Palestine Action's proscription and the closure of all Elbit sites in Britain.

As of Thursday morning, Labour had not given in to these demands.

And as well as the three who ended their strike on Wednesday, another four - Teuta Hoxha, Jon Cink, Qesser Zuhrah, and Amu Gib - have now all "begun re-feeding", Prisoners for Palestine added.

Umer Khalid is now the last remaining hunger striker

Mr Chiaramello said: "It is definitely a time for celebration. A time to rejoice and to embrace our joy as revolution and as liberation.

"We do this because of Palestine, because we’ve been inspired, because we’ve been empowered to take action and to try to realise our dreams for a free Palestine, for an emancipated world."

Prisons Minister Lord Timpson has previously said of the strikers: "These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage.

"Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients."

More to follow...