In a concerning move for press freedom, UK counter-terrorism police reportedly carried out an early morning raid yesterday on the home of Asa Winstanley, associate editor of The Electronic Intifada. Around ten officers arrived before 6 am with warrants to search Winstanley’s residence and vehicle, seizing several electronic devices. Winstanley was not arrested, and no charges have been filed.
According to details reported by The Electronic Intifada, the raid is part of “Operation Incessantness,” with police documents linking the investigation to Winstanley’s social media activity. Authorities cited potential breaches under sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism Act (2006), which address the encouragement of terrorism.
Asa Winstanley, who has a significant online presence with over 100,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), is known for his investigative work critiquing Israel’s policies in Palestine and UK government support for these actions. His recent article, titled “How Israel killed hundreds of its own people on 7 October,” explores the controversial Hannibal Directive, a policy authorising Israeli forces to kill citizens to prevent their capture.
Winstanley is also the author of Weaponising Anti-Semitism: How the Israel Lobby Brought Down Jeremy Corbyn, a book that delves into the controversy surrounding the Labour Party under its former leader.
The raid comes during a broader crackdown in the UK on critics of Israel. Recently, several journalists and activists have faced restrictions on their freedom of expression. Activists Mick Napier and Tony Greenstein were arrested for showing solidarity with Palestine, journalist Richard Medhurst was detained under the Terrorism Act at Heathrow Airport, and activist Sarah Wilkinson had her home searched by counter-terrorism police.
Human rights groups have expressed alarm over the use of counter-terrorism legislation against journalists and activists. The National Union of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists have warned that such actions could create a “chilling effect” on press freedom both in the UK and globally.
The seizure of Asa Winstanley’s devices and the investigation’s nature raise serious concerns about press freedom and the right to critique Israel and Zionism in the UK. This development follows a recent ruling by a British employment tribunal, which recognised anti-Zionism as a protected philosophical belief under equality law.