UK Palestine Action hunger strikers at risk of death after six weeks

• Five Palestine Action inmates continue hunger strike, some over 47 days without food.
• Relatives and doctors warn of imminent risk to health and life.

Relatives and supporters of pro-Palestinian activists in Britain warned Thursday that some hunger strikers face "imminent risk" of death, as they called on the government for urgent talks.

Eight inmates, aged 20 to 31, have been held in various prisons for months awaiting trial and are protesting their treatment and other demands. Some have been without food for up to 47 days, making this the UK’s largest coordinated prison hunger strike in decades.

- Critical stage of starvation -

"Today's day 47, any day after day 35 is considered a critical and severe stage of starvation," said Ella Moulsdale, next of kin to inmate Qesser Zuhrah, at a London press conference. She added that Zuhrah, now hospitalized twice, has lost 13 percent of her body weight.

Emergency physician James Smith, who has been in contact with detainees and their families, warned, "On this trajectory, put simply, the hunger strikers are dying."

- Background and demands -

The eight prisoners face charges linked to break-ins and property damage by Palestine Action, a group banned under UK anti-terror laws. Some are accused of causing 7 million pounds (USD 9.3 million) in damage at an air force base while protesting the war on Gaza.

Activists demand the government lift the Palestine Action ban and close an 'Israel'-linked defense company. Campaigners hope a meeting with Justice Secretary David Lammy could resolve the strike, though the Ministry of Justice has yet to comment.

The hunger strike has drawn comparisons to the 1981 IRA protests, when Bobby Sands and others died after refusing food in pursuit of political recognition. Rahma Hoxha, whose sister has been striking for 40 days, said, "Even though she's feeling very weak, she's quite firm for her demands to be met."