Samidoun Designated as Terrorist Organisation by US and Canada
The US and Canada have officially designated Samidoun and its leader, Khaled Barakat, as a terrorist entity. This decision stems from their alleged role in fundraising for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group responsible for numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.
What’s Samidoun?
Samidoun, a “sham charity” according to the US Department of Treasury, has been accused of funneling funds to the PFLP. Khaled Barakat, a Canadian citizen and prominent figure within Samidoun, is said to lead these fundraising and recruitment efforts.
This designation aligns with Israel’s 2021 classification of Samidoun as a terrorist proxy for the PFLP. Germany also banned the organization in 2023. The Dutch parliament recently voted to designate Samidoun, and Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre initiated a petition for the same action.
Samidoun’s international coordinator, Charlotte Kates, was recently arrested in Vancouver for supporting terrorism. She awaits trial for remarks made during a protest where she celebrated the October 7th massacre. Kates and Barakat also lead Masar Badil, a similar organization.
Several financial platforms, including American Express, PayPal, and Discover, have ceased processing funds for the organisation since 2019, citing concerns over their ties to terrorism.
Reactions to the Designation
While it has yet to respond officially, pro-Israel groups have praised the US and Canadian decision. They believe this designation will curb the organization’s ability to incite hate and violence.
NGO Monitor, an organization that has been tracking the organization for years, also welcomed the news. They emphasized the importance of examining similar NGOs and their potential ties to terrorism.
This designation marks a significant step in combating terrorism and protecting civilians. It highlights the ongoing efforts to disrupt organizations that support violence under the guise of humanitarian work.
References:
- https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-824756
- https://www.fswc.ca/news/fswc-commends-canadas-long-overdue-decision-to-add-samidoun-to-terror-list
- https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/samidoun-terrorist-entity
- https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/canada/samidoun-doubles-down-says-death-to-canada-an-accurate-summation-of-its-goals
