Greta Thunberg arrested as Britain lets Palestine Action prisoners starve

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in London on Dec. 23 under Britain’s Terrorism Act for holding a placard in support of imprisoned Palestine Action activists on hunger strike. Her arrest has drawn global attention to a rapidly escalating crisis inside Britain’s prisons, where activists opposing Israel’s arms supply chain are risking death after months of detention without trial.

Thunberg was detained during a protest outside the London offices of Aspen Insurance, a company that provides mandatory insurance services to Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer. Without such coverage, Elbit cannot legally operate its arms factories in Britain. Protesters sprayed red paint on the building to symbolize bloodshed in Gaza. Two others were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Police confirmed that Thunberg was arrested not for property damage, but for “displaying an item in support of a proscribed organization,” namely Palestine Action. Her placard read: “I support Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.”

Under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, displaying a sign that authorities claim “arouses reasonable suspicion” of support for a banned organization carries a potential sentence of up to six months in prison.

A hunger strike born of prolonged detention

The protest Thunberg joined was organized in solidarity with Palestine Action members imprisoned on remand and engaged in a rolling hunger strike that began in early November. At least eight activists initially took part. As of late December, several have been refusing food for more than 50 days.

Seven of the eight original hunger strikers have been hospitalized at least once. Their conditions have steadily deteriorated.

Amu Gib, now past day 50, was hospitalized after becoming unable to walk without a wheelchair. Kamran Ahmed, 28, has lost more than 30 pounds since entering prison and has been hospitalized with chest pains, high ketone levels, and slurred speech. Teuta Hoxha is suffering from constant headaches and severe mobility issues and can no longer stand for prayer.

More than 800 doctors, nurses, and health professionals have signed an open letter warning that the prisoners face imminent risk of organ failure, irreversible neurological damage, and death. Physicians note that serious brain damage can begin after 35 days without food and that death may occur between 60 and 70 days — or sooner.

Despite the medical emergency, the British government has refused all requests from lawyers and family members to meet or intervene.

Held without trial for years

The hunger strikers’ demands are straightforward: immediate bail, fair trials, an end to censorship of their prison communications, the removal of Palestine Action from the government’s terrorism list, and the closure of Elbit Systems’ operations in Britain.

Supporters argue these demands are rooted in basic legal rights. Although standard pre-trial custody limits in Britain are six months, several Palestine Action prisoners will have been held for more than a year before their cases are heard.

Kamran Ahmed’s trial is not scheduled until June 2026. Teuta Hoxha has been on remand since November 2024 and will not face trial until April 2026. Amu Gib, already detained for more than 170 days, is not expected to be tried until 2027.

The charges relate to property damage and protest actions targeting Elbit Systems sites and RAF Brize Norton. None involves injury to any person.

Terrorism laws turned on protest

The legal basis for this crackdown was laid in July 2025, when the government formally proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. It was the first group banned under a provision of the Terrorism Act that defines “serious damage to property” as terrorism — even in the absence of violence against people.

Since the ban, more than 2,700 people have been arrested in connection with Palestine Action, including roughly 2,000 accused merely of expressing support. Holding a placard, wearing a badge, or posting a message online can now trigger arrest.

The proscription is currently under judicial review in the High Court following a legal challenge by the group’s founder, Huda Ammori.

Targeting the arms supply chain

At the center of the confrontation is Elbit Systems, which produces the vast majority of Israel’s drones and land-based military equipment. Palestine Action’s campaign has focused on disrupting Elbit’s factories in Britain and the corporate infrastructure that allows them to operate.

Aspen Insurance has become a focal point because it provides Elbit’s legally required employer liability insurance.