OTTAWA — Amid months of pressure and increasingly dangerous rhetoric coming from the Canadian-based organization, Samidoun has been declared a terrorist group by the Canadian government.
In a Tuesday press release, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the group — also known as the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network — would be listed as a terrorist entity.
“Violent extremism, acts of terrorism or terrorist financing have no place in Canadian society or abroad,” LeBlanc said in the statement.
“The listing of Samidoun as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code sends a strong message that Canada will not tolerate this type of activity, and will do everything in its power to counter the ongoing threat to Canada’s national security and all people in Canada.”
Samidoun, a Vancouver-based splinter group of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) — which Canada already considers a terrorist entity, becomes the 78th organization to join Canada’s list of terror groups, listed alongside al-Qaida, Boko Haram, The Base, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Invitations to Samidoun by the Toronto Sun for comment went unacknowledged.
Canada’s decision comes in lock-step with the United States, who on Tuesday made the same declaration, describing Samidoun as a “sham charity” that fundraises for the PFLP.
“Organizations like Samidoun masquerade as charitable actors that claim to provide humanitarian support to those in need, yet in reality divert funds for much-needed assistance to support terrorist groups,” said Bradley T. Smith with the U.S. Treasury Department.
“The United States, together with Canada and our like-minded partners, will continue to disrupt those who seek to finance the PFLP, Hamas, and other terrorist organizations.”
Nations including Germany and the Netherlands already consider Samidoun a terror group.
As Canada experiences an explosion of antisemitic hatred in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks, Samidoun has been at the forefront — making increasingly alarming calls for action as acts of anti-Jewish hate become bolder.
During a Vancouver rally organized by Samidoun, a speaker told the crowd “we are Hezbollah and we are Hamas” before leading chants of “Death to Canada, Death the United States and Death to Israel” and an attempt to burn a Canadian flag.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Samidoun stood by their words.
“The imperial core, and Canada in which we live, is as responsible for the ongoing genocide in Palestine as the Zionist entity,” the statement read.
“While stating ‘Death of Canada’ and burning of the flag are phrases that express anger and rage towards the heinous crimes of the state, it is important to acknowledge that symbolism is a powerful took to create material change, and it enables the community to act against the state.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) praised the government’s move, calling it long overdue.
“Samidoun’s International Coordinator, Charlotte Kates, a Canadian-based leader of the group, has been a central figure in organizing pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah rallies across the country,” said CIJA president and CEO Shimon Koffler Fogel.
“At these events, Kates has publicly glorified the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, calling them ‘heroic and brave,’ while leading chants of ‘Long live October seventh.’ Despite facing investigation by the Vancouver Police Department for hate speech, Kates continues to make inflammatory and hateful comments that incite violence against Canadian Jews.”
B’nai Brith’s Richard Robertson said the listing of Samidoun comes after years of advocacy.
“This is a victory for the safety and security of all Canadians,” he said.
“The listing of Samidoun sends a clear message that there is no place in Canadian society for those who foment hate and promote terrorism. Canadian authorities will now be able to hold those who have utilized Samidoun as a vehicle through which to support the actions of terrorists duly accountable.”
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