The Biden administration has designated the Palestinian NGO Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network as an “international fundraiser” for the PFLP terrorist group. This comes after a Fox News Digital expose on calls for the Biden administration to outlaw the group in the U.S. The U.S. Treasury Department, in collaboration with Canada, announced the designation of Samidoun as a terrorist organization, citing its role in raising funds for the PFLP. The PFLP has been designated a foreign terrorist organization since 1997, and Samidoun has been found to assist in fundraising for the group in Europe and North America. The organization has previously been outlawed in Germany and classified as a terrorist entity by Israel.
Canada’s Minister of Public Safety announced the country’s commitment to working with the U.S. to counter terrorist organizations and their fundraisers. The joint action with the U.S. sends a strong message that both nations will not tolerate such activities and will take robust measures to address terrorist financing. Canada has faced criticism for failing to combat rising levels of antisemitism following the Hamas massacre in Israel in October 2023. An incident of a Jewish school being shot at for the second time in a year in Toronto has highlighted the need for action against antisemitic acts in the country.
The Treasury Department’s sanction of Samidoun aims to crackdown on terrorists and organizations that misuse the nonprofit sector for fundraising under the guise of charitable work. In response to being labeled a terrorist group, Samidoun criticized the U.S. and Canada for targeting them due to their support for the Palestinian prisoners movement and the Palestinian right to resistance. The group vowed to continue their struggle against what they perceive as genocide and imperialist support for Israel until the liberation of Palestine from “the river to the sea” which is seen as a genocidal call to abolish the Jewish state.
The U.S., Canada, and other like-minded partners are committed to disrupting individuals and organizations that seek to finance terrorist groups like the PFLP and Hamas. The joint action taken against Samidoun represents a larger effort to combat terrorism funding and support. The Treasury Department emphasized the need to counter terrorism in the wake of the Hamas massacre in southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including over 30 Americans. The ban on Samidoun builds on previous actions taken by the U.S. government to address terrorism financing.
The issue of terrorism and fundraising for terrorist organizations remains a significant concern for the U.S. and its allies. Governments are working together to combat these threats and ensure that measures are in place to address terrorist financing effectively. The actions taken against Samidoun and similar organizations demonstrate the commitment to disrupting those who support terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of the affected regions. The efforts to counter terrorism funding are part of a larger strategy to combat extremism and protect vulnerable communities from violence and threats posed by terrorist groups.
