A Manchester activist who was on hunger strike for more than a month to protest against Britain’s arming of Israel has paused to change tactics.
Lizzie Greenwood began striking on October 27 and vowed to continue until the Government ceases arms sales to Israel and allows aid to reach Gaza but is now pausing to reconsider new methods of protest.
Although previously stating she was “willing to die” for the Palestinian cause, Greenwood now says she may be more useful in continuing her activism rather than harming herself further.
Greenwood said: “Pausing my strike does not mean surrender. I remain resolute in continuing this struggle.
“I will not concede until Palestine is free and the UK government is held fully responsible for its crimes and inhumanity – both at home and abroad.”
Mancunian Matters spoke to Greenwood before this pause to discuss her motivations, the political and public responses, and how she was “willing to die” for the cause.
Although Greenwood’s hunger strike has caused “mental and physical exhaustion”, she argued it could not compare to the “relentless bombing, displacement, grief, constant fear, and loss” Gazans have experienced under Israeli attacks since October 2023.
She was allowing herself a maximum of 250 calories a day – the same amount Gazans under Israeli bombardment and aid blockades are forced to survive on.
This amount is less than a can of beans and constitutes 12% of the recommended daily calorie intake of 2,100.
Greenwood, surviving solely on protein bars, vitamins, and electrolytes, now empathises with the “anxiety of hunger and the stress it puts on you mentally and physically”.
“That constant awareness that you need nourishment and you need food stops you sleeping,” said Greenwood.
“It’s so hard to sleep when you’re hungry and that is what hundreds of thousands of people are having to deal with now.”
Pushing the activist through this mental exhaustion was “desperation”, “disgust” and “anger” at “being forced to be complicit in one of the most evil and just shockingly inhuman regimes ever personally seen”.
She accused the Government of lacking reason and empathy, wondering whether her “life would be wasted against that kind of inhumanity”.
The activist was admitted to hospital last month and was told she was displaying key indicators of starvation.
Greenwood argued Prime Minister Keir Starmer, an ex-human rights lawyer, should be funding and feeding British “children and communities” instead of “ludicrously” arming Israel.
Starmer reiterated his support of arms sales to Israel and the state’s right to “defend itself” in November.
An arrest warrant was recently issued by the International Criminal Court for Israel’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu – accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Greenwood, who ran as a Worker’s Party MP in Withington this year, said: “It makes no sense morally, legally, or logically for us to still be arming and funding Israel when Netanyahu is going to be charged for human rights offences.”
Over 120 states, including the UK, are obligated to arrest Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant if they step foot on home soil.
Greenwood urged her MP, Afzal Khan, to show public solidarity for Palestine in Parliament and to publicly call out Starmer.
But Khan, the MP for Manchester Rusholme, said: “I would respectfully disagree that I am not representing my pro-Palestinian constituents in Parliament.
“I have supported the Palestinian people for over thirty years, over the course of my career in public positions. I have been one of the most active MPs on this issue.
“Last year, I resigned from my position on the Labour Shadow Frontbench team to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. My position has not changed moving into this new government.
“Over the past few weeks alone, I have met with the Minister for the Middle East, Foreign Secretary, and the Palestinian Ambassador to discuss this issue.
“I have also signed a letter alongside many other MPs demanding Britain acts on the ICC and ICJ rulings and just yesterday I raised this matter in the Chamber.
“November is Islamophobia Awareness Month, and I have used this month to continue to raise awareness of the horrific scenes people in Gaza and beyond are facing. I intend to continue to do this.”
Greenwood highlighted the positive public response to her hunger strike and the outpouring of global support.
However, British support is most meaningful to her and the activist was glad people in the UK are becoming more educated on Palestine, including her own family.
Greenwood is not immune to criticism though, with online users highlighting other, less-harmful methods of activism.
Responding to this, Greenwood pointed to Manchester’s long history of hunger strikes and using one’s body to protest injustices.
Manchester suffragette leader Emmaline Pankhurst staged multiple hunger strikes during her career as a political activist.
Greenwood said: “If you don’t agree with me or if you think another idea would be effective then do it. Organise it and act on it.
“If you are someone that’s not been acting, if you’ve just been feeling broken, useless, hopeless, I would say it’s absolutely not too late, it’s never too late to start acting.
“Don’t do nothing. The best antidote to feeling useless, to feeling hopeless, is to act.”
However, Greenwood is now “taking time to recalibrate and reconsider potential change in tactics” during her pause.
Global hunger strikes
Alongside Greenwood, Jordanian activists began hunger striking almost 30 days ago “demanding the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid” to Northern Gaza.
A Bristolian man was hospitalised during his three month hunger strike, and Edinburgh students’ hunger strike lasted over 20 days.
Dozens of Spanish protesters last week, including a lawmaker, started hunger striking in Aragon.
A Palestine Action activist began a hunger strike last month whilst being held at Manchester Police Station on Northampton Road.
Julija Brigadirova, 32, charged with aggravated burglary and criminal damage at the Elbit Systems UK site in Gloucestershire, is “fasting for justice” in custody.
The defence contractor company Elbit Systems UK is Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer thus making it a major Palestine Action target.
Feature image: Sumaiya Motara
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