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Samidoun

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Samidoun
Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network
صامدون
Formation2012; 12 years ago (2012)
Founded atUnited States
Websitesamidoun.net

Samidoun (Arabic: صامدون, romanized: Ṣāmidūn, lit. 'steadfast'), officially Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, is a PFLP-affiliated[1] international advocacy organization founded in 2012 in the United States.[citation needed] It describes itself as "an international network of organizers and activists working to build solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in their struggle for freedom,"[2][3] focusing on raising awareness about detained and imprisoned Palestinians. They claim chapters in the United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Palestine, and Lebanon.[2]

Samidoun has been designated as a terrorist group by Germany,[4] the Netherlands,[5] Israel,[6] Canada,[3] and the United States.[7] The U.S. Treasury Department describes it as "a sham charity that serves as an international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization."[8][7][1]

Controversies and designation as a terrorist organization

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In 2021, Israel's Defense Ministry designated the association as a terrorist organization, based on recommendations from the Shin Bet and the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing. The designation stated that, although its official aim is to assist in securing prisoners' release, it effectively operates as a front for the PFLP abroad.[6]

In November 2023, the association was banned by the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany for distributing sweets to celebrate the October 7 attacks.[9][4]

Arabic language Samidoun sticker on a pole in Barcelona, Spain

In October 2024, a speaker at a rally in Vancouver organized by Samidoun identified themselves with Hezbollah and Hamas and called for death to the United States, Canada, and Israel. Participants at the same event were seen burning a Canadian flag.[10] Samidoun confirmed and defended the actions, saying they accurately reflected its goal of "destroying the colonialist, capitalist state of Canada" and stand by the "death to Canada" phrase "as the call to action that it is".[11] It was subsequently designated as a terrorist organization by the government of Canada.[3]

In that same month, The Parliament of the Netherlands has also voted to designate Samidoun as a terrorist organization.[5] Meta Platforms and YouTube have blocked certain online platforms of the organization, citing breaches of their community guidelines.[5]

On 15 October 2024, Samidoun was sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department due to alleged ties with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).[12][13][8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Taking Joint Actions Against International PFLP Fundraiser". United States Department of State. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "About Samidoun". Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Staff, Al Jazeera. "US and Canada impose sanctions, blacklist pro-Palestinian group Samidoun". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b "HAMAS and Samidoun banned in Germany". Federal Ministry of the Interior. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Dutch Parliament votes to designate Samidoun as terror organization". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Israel designates PFLP international branch as a terrorist organization". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b "United States and Canada Target Key International Fundraiser for Foreign Terrorist Organization PFLP". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b "US slaps sanctions on 'sham charity' fundraising for Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine". Voice of America. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Germany bans pro-Palestinian group Samidoun". Reuters. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Vancouver Police probe Oct. 7 rally where 'death to Canada' cry went up | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  11. ^ Hopper, Tristin (14 October 2024). "Samidoun doubles down, says 'death to Canada' an accurate summation of its goals". National Post.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Samidoun, group behind 'death to Canada' chant, listed as terrorist entity | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  13. ^ "US, Canada impose sanctions on Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
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