Swiss police arrest director of Electronic Intifada news outlet
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The Electronic Intifada reports that Ali Abunimah was arrested one day after arriving in Zurich for a speaking tour.
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Co-founder and executive director of pro-Palestine news outlet The Electronic Intifada (EI), Ali Abunimah, undated. (Social Media/X)
Swiss authorities have detained Ali Abunimah, a Palestinian-American journalist and co-founder of the pro-Palestine news outlet The Electronic Intifada (EI).
Abunimah was reportedly questioned by Swiss police for an hour upon his arrival at Zurich airport on Friday before being granted entry into the city.
Reports suggest he was arrested the following day, ahead of a scheduled speaking event.
"Abunimah's arrest appears to be part of a growing backlash from Western governments against expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people," the Electronic Intifada said.
The Chicago-based independent publication voiced its solidarity with Abunimah, stating, "Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime."
In posts on his X account, the journalist condemned the Israeli genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip and expressed support for the Palestinian resistance against the occupation.
The shamelessness of people who demanded we vote for the monsters @joebiden and then @kamalaharris who aided and abetted the “Israeli” genocide from the start and who would have ensured it went on until the last Palestinian was dead. https://t.co/0kCBmAACfM
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) January 20, 2025
His latest article, published on The Electronic Intifada on January 18, was titled "How Gaza’s Resistance Defeated Israel."
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) emphasized that Abunimah has been a consistent advocate against "Israel's" injustices in Palestine, highlighting that his arrest appears to be a direct result of his outspoken activism.
"Abunimah’s arrest is a stark reminder of the increasing attempts to stifle voices calling for justice and accountability," it pointed out.
https://t.co/uwDe84BszI
— Abed A. Ayoub (@aayoub) January 25, 2025
ADC is outraged by news reports of the arrest of @AliAbunimah—founder and Executive Director of the Electronic @intifada and a prominent Palestinian rights advocate—by Swiss authorities. Mr. Abunimah, a United States citizen, has long been a committed…
Belgian-Lebanese activist Dyab Abou Jahjah, founder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, described Abunimah as a "political prisoner" and demanded his immediate release.
Last year, British police raided the home of Asa Winstanley, an associate editor with EI, and seized his computers and phones.
