The federal government has officially designated Samidoun, also known as the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.
This announcement was made by Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs. The move aligns with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s designation of Samidoun as a global terrorist organization under Executive Order 13224.
Per the news release, Samidoun has established connections with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a recognized terrorist entity in Canada, the U.S., and the European Union. The organization is accused of advocating violence and supporting activities aimed at the destruction of Israel. Canada’s designation makes it a criminal offense for Canadians, both domestically and abroad, to provide financial or material support to Samidoun or deal with property linked to the group.
The listing enhances the capabilities of Canadian security and law enforcement agencies, particularly the RCMP, in preventing and investigating terrorist activities. This inclusion raises the total number of listed terrorist entities in Canada to 78.
Samidoun operates in at least 12 countries, including Canada, and has been condemned for its extremist rhetoric, including chants of “death to Canada” at a rally in Vancouver.
The organization’s activities include public protests and social media campaigns that support other terrorist entities like the PFLP.