Umer Khalid

Umer Khalid, a 22-year-old British pro-Palestine activist linked to Palestine Action, has recently been the focus of news due to a prolonged hunger strike while being held in a UK prison. Palestine Action is an organization that the British government has designated as a 'terrorist' group, a claim the group rejects. Khalid and seven other activists began the hunger strike in November 2025 to protest charges related to alleged break-ins and criminal damage targeting businesses they believe are complicit in Israel's actions. Khalid's hunger strike escalated to refusing water, leading to serious health concerns, including a slowed heart rate and organ failure, requiring hospitalization. The situation garnered significant attention, with protests erupting outside the prison where he was held, resulting in mass arrests. While the hunger strike has ended, with activists beginning to re-feed, the events highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the UK's relationship with Israel, as well as the government's response to activism related to this issue.