A GROUP OF 30 councillors have expressed solidarity with members of Palestine Action who have begun a hunger strike in English jails.

The activists, who are being held as “political prisoners”, were jailed for their alleged connection to Palestine Action after it was added to the list of proscribed organisations, making it a terror offence to be associated with it.

Hundreds of people were arrested by British police at pro-Palestine protests this year.

Police arrested several people at a Palestine Action demonstration in Oxford yesterday Alamy Alamy

Six prisoners are reportedly on hunger strike over what they described as “systematic abuse” by prison authorities.

It is expected that further remand prisoners will join this action in the coming weeks.

Irish councillors have thrown support behind the strikers, arguing that they are being unjustly punished for their association with the “non-violent” Palestine Action. The recent re-classification of the group has put them legally on par with ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

“We in Ireland know full well the implications of a political hunger strike,” the councillors said.

“The decision to commence such an action is never taken lightly as the ramifications of doing so for the prisoners, their families and communities are immense.”

The councillors, which include representatives from Dublin City, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Meath and Donegal, say the strike is a “powerful act” that can inspire others to continue challenging supporters of Israel’s attacks on the people of Palestine.

“The people of Ireland see you, hear you, and are humbled by your selfless actions in support of the Palestinian cause.

“This is a slaughter which is there for all to witness, yet international law does not apply and Governments around the world fail to act for the people of Palestine.”