(October 15, 2024) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) applauds the decision by the Canadian government to designate the Vancouver-based organization Samidoun as a terrorist entity in a joint action with the United States.

Samidoun has long promoted terrorism against Israel, including the brutal atrocities committed on October 7, and has close affiliations with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group recognized as a terrorist entity by Canada, the United States, the European Union, and Israel. FSWC, alongside other Jewish organizations, has called for this move for years.

Earlier today, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced that the designation comes as part of a coordinated initiative with the US Department of the Treasury’s Office, which has similarly designated Samidoun, also known as the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT).

“Violent extremism, acts of terrorism or terrorist financing have no place in Canadian society or abroad,” said LeBlanc. “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.”

Germany took a similar stand last November, banning Samidoun and Hamas from any activity in its country. Last week, the Dutch Parliament followed suit, also declaring Samidoun a terrorist organization.

This designation in Canada, effective immediately, prohibits all actions related to terrorist groups, including terrorist financing, under the Canadian Criminal Code.

For its part, the US made its position clear in its announcement today.

“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 Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith. “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.”

Last week, Samidoun was sharply condemned for chanting “Death to Canada” and burning a Canadian flag at a Vancouver rally celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led Oct. 7 terrorist onslaught in Israel that brutally killed 1,200 people. Over the weekend, Samidoun defended its widely condemned antics, saying, “We at Samidoun stand by this phrase [Death to Canada] as the call to action that it is.”

“For years, Samidoun extremists have been on the frontlines promoting terrorism, as well as toxic and violent antisemitism,” said Michael Levitt, President and CEO of FSWC. “Law enforcement must now ensure there’s zero tolerance for Samidoun to spew its virulent hate and incitement – not at Canadian Jews and not at Canadians writ large. We commend Minister LeBlanc and the Canadian Government for today’s announcement. Thankfully, the era of Samidoun’s impunity in Canada is now over and not a moment too soon.”