Ali Abunimah arrest sparks fear of European crackdown on Palestine activists
The arrest of well-known American-Palestinian journalist Ali Abunimah in Switzerland has sparked fear of a further crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists in the West.
Abunimah, the executive director of the online news site Electronic Intifida, was detained by Swiss authorities on Saturday ahead of a planned speaking event in Zurich, sparking condemnation by activists and UN experts.
"He is currently being detained and has had access to legal counsel," the pro-Palestinian publication said in a statement.
"The arrest came one day after Abunimah arrived in Zurich for a speaking tour."
Electronic Intifida said Abunimah was questioned for an hour on arrival on Friday, before being allowed into the country. He was then arrested the next day.
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"Abunimah's arrest appears to be part of a growing backlash from western governments against expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people," it added.
"The Electronic Intifada team stands in solidarity with Ali Abunimah. Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime."
Electronic Intifada is a US-based website founded in 2001 that describes itself as 'an independent online news publication focusing on Palestine'.
A petition calling for Abunimah's release, set up by Swiss Action for Human Rights, has garnered over 13,000 signatures.
Citing an entry ban, Swiss police said that a 53-year-old American had been detained, and that further measures were being considered under its immigration laws.
'Larger campaign'
Irene Khan, the UN's special rapporteur on freedom of expression, described the arrest as "shocking news" and called for the journalist's release.
Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on occupied Palestine, said: "The climate surrounding freedom of speech in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic, and we should all be concerned."
I share the shock and urge for a prompt investigation into this matter. The climate surrounding freedom of speech in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic, and we should all be concerned. https://t.co/1KE9maAsgY — Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) January 26, 2025
Euro-Med Monitor said the arrest was "extremely concerning" and marked an "unprecedented low level of respect for human rights".
"This arrest is part of a larger campaign that has seen harassment and similar arrests in other European nations, demonstrating the growing extent of repression and limitations on Palestinian rights advocates," it said.
A spokesperson for the US embassy in the Swiss capital Bern said it was providing consular assistance to an American citizen, without giving further comment.
A number of pro-Palestinian journalists were detained or subjected to raids in the UK last year by counter-terrorism police.
London police crackdown on Gaza protest evokes 19th-century repression Read More »
Among these was Asa Winstanley, an associate editor at Electronic Intifida, who in October said 10 police officers raided his home.
Winstanley was not arrested or charged with any offence, but police confiscated his electronic devices, Electronic Intifida said at the time.
Citing a letter addressed to Winstanley from 'Counter Terror Command', the website said he had been told he was being investigated for offences under the Terrorism Act connected to his social media posts.
It said police were "aware of [Winstanley's] profession" as a journalist.
The letter cited 'possible offences' under sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism Act, relating to the offence of 'encouragement of terrorism'. It said the raid had been conducted as part of an operation codenamed 'Operation Incessantness'.
The Metropolitan Police told Middle East Eye that counter-terrorism officers had searched an address in Wembley, north London, and seized electronic devices as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences of "support for a proscribed organisation" and "dissemination of terrorist documents".
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