Sally Rooney has pleaded with the UK government to address the “shocking mistreatment” of Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners who are on hunger strike, saying she fears for their welfare.
Six prisoners awaiting trial are refusing food, including two who have been on hunger strike for more than two weeks and are already said to have lost considerable weight and be struggling physically. Their demands include improved jail conditions, release on bail and lifting the ban on Palestine Action.
Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People and Conversations with Friends, said: “The shocking mistreatment of these prisoners – including censorship and withholding of letters, prolonged use of solitary confinement, and years-long imprisonment without trial – constitutes a serious violation of human rights.
“I urge the British government to take action to engage with the prisoners and address their demands.
“It is a basic principle of justice that no one should have to spend years in prison awaiting trial when they have not been found guilty of any offence. Likewise, anyone who is in prison should be permitted to read and write freely without the interference of administrators.
“Books, letters and other reading material should not be withheld or censored. These are not extravagant demands, but fundamental human rights.”
Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, both being held at Bronzefield prison in Surrey, were the first two prisoners to go on hunger strike on 2 November, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Balfour declaration. They were joined by Heba Muraisi, who is held at HMP New Hall, on 5 November, Jon Cink, also at Bronzefield, on 6 November, Teuta Hoxha at Peterborough prison on 9 November and Kamran Ahmed at Pentonville prison on 10 November.
Prisoners for Palestine said Cink had fainted during a blood test last week while Muraisi was feeling tired, light-headed and nauseous. Hoxha was feeling “very faint” and Ahmed was suffering from brain fog, the group said.
Rooney said: “As early as last November, four UN special rapporteurs wrote to the UK government raising concerns about the treatment of prisoners allegedly connected to the protest group Palestine Action.
“These conditions have only worsened in the year since, exacerbated by the government’s unprecedented decision to proscribe the group as a terrorist organisation and to pursue terror-related charges against political protesters.
“I am profoundly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of the prisoners undertaking this hunger strike. None of them have been convicted of any crime. All of them are vulnerable human beings deserving of respect and fair treatment. I plead with the UK government to put an end to this appalling situation.”
Gib and Cink are both awaiting trial in January 2027 in relation to the damage of two Voyager aircraft during a protest at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on 20 June. The other four are among 24 accused in relation to an action at Elbit Systems in Filton near Bristol last year. They have been held in custody since November last year and are due to stand trial next year. Both actions were claimed by Palestine Action.
None of the prisoners have been charged under the Terrorism Act but prosecutors have said both offences had a “terrorism connection”. Shortly after the Brize Norton incident, Palestine Action became the first direct action protest group to be proscribed under the Terrorism Act.
After the ban, which made it illegal to show support for Palestine Action, Rooney said that she intended to use proceeds from her works to support the group.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We strongly reject these allegations – we treat all prisoners fairly and equally, regardless of background circumstances.”
This article was amended on 18 November 2025 to correct the location of Bronzefield prison, which is in Surrey rather than Kent.
