Electronic Intifada’s cofounder and executive director, Ali Abunimah, was arrested by Swiss authorities on Saturday, Jan. 25. He is currently being detained and has had access to legal counsel, reports The New Arab.
Abunimah arrived at Zurich Airport in Switzerland on Friday, one day prior to his arrest. The Palestinian journalist was scheduled to present at an event organized by the Palestine Committee Zurich on media, advocacy, and Palestine. Upon his arrival, Abunimah was subjected to an hour-long interrogation by police before being permitted entry into the country.
In a statement, Swiss Action for Human Rights said that Abunimah was “violently and forcibly” taken by plainclothes officers while he walking the streets of Zurich. The human rights group started an online petition calling for Abunimah’s release, the withdrawal of an entry ban issued against him, an investigation into the decision that led to his arrest, strict compliance with human rights standards, and an apology and reparations for his detention. The petition has garnered more than 11,000 signatories at the time of writing. It also mentioned that the Zurich cantonal police intend to hold Abunimah in administrative detention until they plan to deport him out of the country on Monday, Jan. 27.
The unwarranted arrest follows backlash from Mario Fehr, Justice Director of Canton Zurich, reports Palestine Chronicle. Investigative journalist, John McEvoy revealed on the social media platform X, that Fehr has “spoken at pro-Israel rallies and called for pro-Palestinian demonstrations to be banned.” Human rights lawyer and former UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber, weighed in, sharing that Fehr has a history of targeting Abunimah by writing online smear campaigns about the EI cofounder.
Fehr spoke with Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) falsely accusing Abunimah of being an “Islamist” and “antisemite,” and proclaiming that he is unwelcome in Switzerland. Abunimah’s arrest appears to be an extension of blatant anti-Palestinian discrimination as well as retaliation against Abunimah’s unwavering voice for justice in Palestine.
UN human rights experts condemned Abunimah’s arrest raising concerns about freedom of speech in Europe. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee demanded the release of Abunimah, stating that, “Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not, and should never be considered, a crime. Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are universal fundamental rights that must be protected, not punished.”
His arrest follows a wave of similar actions taken against pro-Palestine advocates in the West. “Last year, several activists and journalists in Britain were arrested, raided or charged using ‘counter-terror’ powers. These include Asa Winstanley, an associate editor with The Electronic Intifada, whose home was raided and his computers and phones seized,” reports Electronic Intifada.
Support for Ali Abunimah has erupted across social media since news of his arrest became public. Journalist Jonathan Cook concisely debunked the ongoing defamation of Ali Abunimah on X, writing:
Screenshot of Jonathan Cook's post on X.
Independent news organization, Mondoweiss, publicly advocated for Abunimah writing, “Mondoweiss stands with Ali Abunimah and Electronic Intifada. Free Ali Abunimah now. Protect Palestinian journalists.”
Euro-Med Monitor condemned Abunimah’s unlawful arrest, calling for his immediate release saying, “Targeting journalists and human rights advocates is indicative of a significant decline in European governments' dedication to upholding human rights and freedom of expression. Additionally, 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. The Swiss authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Ali [Abunimah] and ensure respect for his legal and human rights.”
Additionally, the Chairman of Euro-Med Monitor, Ramy Abdu personally appealed on behalf of Abunimah, “The arrest of Ali Abunimah 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.”
The attack on Palestinian journalism has been at an all-time high. Israel has killed at least 217 Palestinian journalists and media workers during the 15-month-long genocide in Gaza. The injustice happening to Ali Abunimah is an inevitable ripple effect of such brutal attempts to censor and silence truthtellers.