A desperate vigil is unfolding outside HMP Bronzefield, where MP Zarah Sultana has joined supporters demanding urgent medical care for hunger striker Qesser Zuhrah. For fourteen agonizing hours, Zuhrah has waited, her condition deteriorating with each passing moment.
The core issue is stark: the prison is refusing to authorize a transfer to a hospital. Sultana, visibly resolute, has directly appealed to David Lammy and Wes Streeting, pleading for immediate intervention. Her message is blunt and carries the weight of a life hanging in the balance: “If she dies, it will be on their hands.”
Qesser Zuhrah’s protest began after a dawn raid on November 19th, part of a wider crackdown following actions targeting Elbit Systems, Israel’s leading weapons manufacturer, and RAF Brize Norton. She and five others – Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Teuta Hoxha, and Kamran Ahmed – have maintained their hunger strike for over a month, all while being denied bail.
Supporters report Zuhrah is now unable to stand, her body weakened by prolonged fasting. Sultana arrived at the prison at 1:20 am, declaring an unwavering stance: “We’re not going anywhere” until an ambulance is permitted to enter and provide the critical care Zuhrah desperately needs.
Two doctors, Olivia Brandon and Ayo Moiett, are present at the scene, reinforcing the urgency of the situation. Dr. Brandon explained the limitations of prison medical facilities, stating that Zuhrah requires immediate blood tests and scans unavailable within the prison walls.
Despite repeated calls to the South East Coast Ambulance Service, access remains blocked. Prisoners for Palestine alleges a deliberate pattern of obstruction, with staff delaying treatment throughout the night. The situation is a tense standoff, fueled by growing anxiety for Zuhrah’s well-being.
Even from within her confinement, Zuhrah’s spirit remains unbroken. In a statement released through the campaign group, she issued a powerful call to action: “They won’t imprison us all… flood the damn streets in your millions. Shut down these factories in your thousands!” Her words resonate with defiance and a belief in the power of collective resistance.
The unfolding events highlight a critical juncture, where a life hangs in the balance and the response of authorities will be scrutinized. The demand is simple, yet profound: allow the ambulance in, and provide Qesser Zuhrah with the emergency healthcare she urgently requires.
