Taking Joint Actions Against International PFLP Fundraiser – United States Department of State
The United States is committed to working with our partners to expose and deter those who exploit humanitarian impulses for their malign goals. Today, in coordination with Canada, we are sanctioning the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, a sham charity that serves as an international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization. The PFLP uses Samidoun to maintain fundraising operations in both Europe and North America. We are also designating Khaled Barakat, a member of the PFLP’s leadership.
In a coordinated effort, the Government of Canada has listed Samidoun as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code, effective Friday, Oct. 11. The Canadian listing of an entity is a public means for them to identify a group or individual as being associated with terrorism. The Canadian Criminal Code prohibits certain actions in relation to terrorist groups, including those related to terrorist financing, such as knowingly dealing with any property that belongs to a terrorist group.
The United States will continue to disrupt sham organizations that function under the guise of humanitarian organizations while funding terrorism. We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with our partners and allies to counter terrorist organizations and their global fundraisers.
The Department of State designated the PFLP as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in October 1997 and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in October 2001. The Department of the Treasury sanctions actions today were taken pursuant to counterterrorism Executive Order 13224, as amended. For more information, see Treasury’s press release.
