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.

Signatories include 16 members of the NEU national executive, including president Ed Harlow, and 22 members of the UCU national executive.

The letter says: “Student activists who have been at the forefront of movements exposing the complicity of the British government and universities in the ongoing genocide in Palestine are paying a heavy personal price for their bravery.”

It highlights the case of University College London student Qesser Zuhrah, who entered day 46 of a hunger strike on December 17 while being held without trial for alleged offences related to direct action that destroyed weapons destined for Israel.

The letter calls for the immediate release of all defendants in the Filton24 case, saying: “We are deeply concerned for Qesser’s health and for the others who have taken part in long hunger strikes to highlight the denial of their basic rights.

“The hunger strikers are demanding bail and the right to a fair trial. They are also calling for an end to censorship so that they can send and receive mail, to be able to access books freely and to have their security clearance changed.

“They have been victimised by the prison authorities since the proscription of Palestine Action.”

The signatories also highlight cases of student activists who have been expelled or suspended by their universities for taking part in pro-Palestine protests and, in one case, recently arrested during a demonstration.

The letter rejected the claim that “the abhorrent racist attacks on Jewish people in Sydney and Manchester are the result of people expressing their solidarity with Palestinians by reference to a tradition of mass uprisings.”

It follows the release of a letter on December 17 signed by 800 health professionals calling for government intervention to end the hunger strike.

In response to the hospitalisations, Green Party co-deputy leader Mothin Ali said: “This horrific situation could have been prevented if ministers had agreed to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers and hear their concerns and demands.

“There are also claims of mistreatment of the prisoners, something I witnessed first hand when I went to visit Amu Gib at HMP Bronzefield.

“It is a terrible indictment of this government’s failure that these prisoners feel forced into using the only tool they have left — their own bodies — to draw attention to the injustices and maltreatment they are experiencing.”

MPs have written to the government expressing concerns over the delay in medical assistance and limited communication with families.

Lawyers have also criticised Justice Secretary David Lammy for refusing to meet them.

Prisons Minister Lord Timpson has previously said the service is “very experienced” at dealing with hunger strikes and has “robust and working” systems in place.

The prison service “will not be meeting” any prisoners or their representatives, he said.

Your Party’s Jeremy Corbyn, who is Mx Gib’s MP and visited them, wrote a letter to the prisons inspectorate on Sunday, raising concerns over “inconsistent and unreliable” health treatment to those on hunger strike.

The letter was also signed by MPs John McDonnell and Barry Gardiner.

“We are dismayed to learn that, as they near their eighth week on hunger strike, their treatment remains inconsistent and unreliable,” the letter said.