Swiss police arrest executive director of Electronic Intifada news outlet
Swiss Police have arrested Ali Abunimah, a Palestinian-American journalist who is the co-founder and executive director of pro-Palestine news outlet The Electronic Intifada (EI).
Reports said Abunimah arrived at Zurich airport on Friday and was questioned by the police for an hour before being allowed to enter the Swiss city.
He was arrested the following day ahead of a speaking event, the reports added.
"Abunimah's arrest appears to be part of a growing backlash from Western governments against expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people," EI said.
The Chicago-based independent publication also expressed solidarity with Abunimah, adding, "Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime."
In posts on his X account, the journalist had denounced Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and hailed the Palestinian resistance against the occupation.
His most recent article, published on EI on January 18, was titled "How Gaza’s Resistance Defeated Israel."
"Israel did not achieve any of its objectives except for one objective: which is inflict as much suffering as possible on the people in Gaza," says Ahmed Alnaouq (@AlnaouqA).
— Electronic Intifada (@intifada) January 22, 2025
"But in the process they have made of themselves a rogue state, a pariah state." pic.twitter.com/lp1Nt7s8s4
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) said Abunimah has long been "a committed voice against Israel’s injustices in Palestine," emphasizing that his arrest appears to be a direct result of his outspoken advocacy.
"Abunimah’s arrest is a stark reminder of the increasing attempts to stifle voices calling for justice and accountability," it pointed out.
The Belgian-Lebanese activist Dyab Abou Jahjah, the founder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, said Abunimah was a "political prisoner" and called for his immediate release.
Ali Abunimah's arrest in #Switzerland for supporting Palestinian rights (including that to resist occupation) is an attack on free expression and the solidarity movement. @AliAbunimah is a political prisoner. He must be released immediately!#FreeAli
— Dyab Abou Jahjah (@Aboujahjah) January 25, 2025
https://t.co/5CMvLXcCnl
Similarly, Ramy Abdu, chairman of Euro-Med Monitor, a human rights organization, said the "unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression marks a grave moral and ethical decline for Switzerland."
🧵The arrest of @AliAbunimah in Zurich represents a shocking adoption of Israeli incitement by Swiss authorities. This unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression marks a grave moral and ethical decline for Switzerland. Speaking out for justice in Palestine is NOT a crime. pic.twitter.com/8lMCPgwfKx
— Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده (@RamAbdu) January 25, 2025
Last year, British police raided the home of Asa Winstanley, an associate editor with EI, and seized his computers and phones.
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