Education union leaders call for ‘immediate release’ of hunger-striking prisoners
A campaigner during the Defend Our Juries protest in support of Palestine Action at The Peace Garden, Tavistock Square, central London, November 22, 2025600 educators sign open letter urging government to protect lives of prisoners jailed for more than a year without trial over alleged direct action linked to Palestine solidarity
EDUCATION union leaders called for the “immediate release” of hunger-striking prisoners today after two Palestine Action-linked detainees were taken to hospital.
Thirty-year-old Amu Gib, held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey while awaiting trial, is on day 50 of a hunger strike, while 28-year-old Kamran Ahmed, held at Pentonville prison in London, is on day 42.
They are among eight prisoners admitted to hospital since the action began on Balfour Day, November 2, according to Prisoners for Palestine, which warned that deaths were likely without urgent intervention.
Dozens of members of the national executive committees of the National Education Union (NEU), University and College Union (UCU) and the Educational Institute of Scotland are among 600 educators and trade unionists who have signed an open letter urging the government to protect the lives of prisoners jailed for more than a year without trial over alleged direct action linked to Palestine solidarity.
The unions represent more than 600,000 staff across schools, colleges and universities.
The letter condemns an escalation in repression against Palestine activists and highlights police statements that protesters using the word “intifada” could face arrest.
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