In a shocking turn of events, counter-terrorism police recently conducted a raid at the London home of Asa Winstanley, a prominent journalist covering the occupation of Palestine and Israeli influence in the UK. The raid, part of an operation codenamed “Operation Incessantness”, was initiated based on alleged social media posts that could potentially violate sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism Act.
Although Winstanley was not arrested or charged, the police confiscated his electronic devices during the raid. The Electronic Intifada, a US-based independent news publication focusing on Palestine, stated that Winstanley, as an associate editor, has been a regular contributor since 2009 and has a significant social media following.
Winstanley, known for his critical reporting on the Israel-Palestine conflict, recently authored a book titled Weaponising Anti-Semitism, which highlights the pro-Israel lobby’s efforts to undermine Jeremy Corbyn. The use of counter-terrorism powers against journalists has raised concerns among industry professionals, as it could potentially restrict press freedom.
As the situation unfolds, it is essential to stand in solidarity with journalists like Winstanley who continue to report on critical issues despite facing challenges and threats to their freedom of speech.