Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah Arrested in Switzerland
Incitement to Violence Disguised as Activism: Switzerland Says No More
Hate Disguised as Activism: Switzerland Says No More
On January 26, 2025, Ali Abunimah, executive director of the pro-terror platform Electronic Intifada (EI), was arrested in Zurich, Switzerland. Swiss security officials, led by Zurich’s Head of the Department of Security Mario Fehr, stated, “We do not want an Islamist Jew-hater who calls for violence in Switzerland.” Federal police confirmed his ban was based on evidence linking his activities to incitement. Arrested on the eve of an event organized by The Palestine Committee Zurich, his detention highlights growing global concerns over the spread of incitement under the guise of journalism.
Abunimah’s arrest is rooted in his long history of incendiary rhetoric. As the founder of Electronic Intifada, he has described Zionism—the Jewish right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland of Israel—as “one of the worst forms of antisemitism in existence” and equated Jewish nationalism with Holocaust atrocities. Abunimah’s platform has praised violent acts by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, often framing them as “resistance” rather than terrorism. For instance, during the Hamas-led October 7th massacre, Abunimah dismissed verified reports of sexual violence as “propaganda,” and even called on European Union (EU) to send targeting systems to Hamas to help them attack the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The Role of Electronic Intifada
Founded in 2001, Electronic Intifada portrays itself as a news outlet dedicated to Palestinian rights. In reality, the platform amplifies terrorist narratives. Articles often justify or minimize violence against Israeli civilians, with contributors celebrating terror groups like Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) as legitimate resistance forces.
A notable example includes a 2020 article written in Electronic Intifada by Khaled Barakat titled, “Uphold Palestinian struggle in all its forms.” Barakat, who is a leader of the U.S.-designated terrorist groups PFLP and Samidoun, advocates for “armed struggle” against Israel. In 2022, Abunimah stated in an interview that “Israel always has to kill Palestinians because it is an illegitimate settler-colonial regime…the regular shedding of Palestinian blood is a necessary component of maintaining the existence of Israel.”
Ali Abunimah’s Shady “Nonprofit” Activity
Abunimah operates Electronic Intifada under the umbrella of the tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, Middle East Cultural And Charitable Society (MECCS), based in Chicago. Between 2019 and 2023, MECCS raised $2.8 million, enjoying tax exemptions despite its promotion of antisemitic propaganda. Asra Nomani, a former Wall street Journal reporter and author of Woke Army, highlights the lack of transparency in MECCS filings, questioning how the funds are used. Nomani has also linked Abunimah to other figures in Hamas-linked activism, such as Students for Justice in Palestine founder Hatem Bazian, CAIR, and individuals tied to the Muslim Brotherhood network.
Nomani has described Abunimah as “obsessed with the destruction of the state of Israel and the elimination of Jews from ‘the river to the sea,’” asserting that he uses nonprofit status to shield extremist propaganda and support for groups like Hamas.
Switzerland Draws the Line: Addressing the Hamas Network
Ali Abunimah’s arrest highlights broader concerns about Hamas-linked networks operating in Switzerland. Among these is the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor (EMHRM), an alleged front for Hamas. EuroMed, led by figures such as Ramy Abdu and Mazen Kahel, has been flagged by Israel’s Ministry of Defense for its ties to Hamas and fundraising activities in Europe.
EuroMed mixes political propaganda with unsubstantiated claims, including accusations of Israeli “organ theft,” “genocide,” and even using biological weapons to “evaporate” Palestinian bodies. Its leadership and affiliates have consistently echoed narratives that delegitimize Israel while downplaying atrocities committed by Palestinian groups.
Switzerland Approves Five-Year Ban on Hamas
In a significant move in December 2024, Switzerland's parliament approved a five-year ban on Hamas following the group's October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. The decision was reached after both the Senate and the House of Representatives endorsed the proposal, with the House of Representatives passing the law by a decisive 168 votes to six. A faction of the Green Party abstained. The ban, which also extends to Hamas-linked organizations, is aimed at preventing Switzerland from becoming a safe haven for Hamas activities and addressing concerns over the group's role in global terrorism.
This legislation, originally proposed by the Swiss Federal Council, marks a rare move to criminalize a foreign terrorist group within Switzerland. Up until now, only organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS have faced similar bans. The law, while initially set for five years, could be extended based on parliamentary review. Swiss authorities hope the new measures will better enable them to curb Hamas’s influence, restrict its fundraising activities, and block any attempts to carry out terror operations from Swiss soil.
This ban also empowers Swiss law enforcement agencies to take stronger actions against Hamas-linked entities operating within the country, enhancing cooperation with international anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering bodies. The move represents Switzerland's growing commitment to confronting terrorist networks, especially as concerns over the presence of Hamas-linked groups like Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor (EuroMed) continue to surface in Europe.
The implementation date of the ban will be determined by the Swiss Federal Council, which now has the responsibility to finalize the timing and ensure the new regulations are enacted.