US, Canada Sanction 'Sham Charity' Supporting Terror Group

The U.S. and Canada this week designated the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, known as Samidoun, for being a “sham charity” that operates as an international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist organization.

The Treasury Department added Samidoun to its Specially Designated Nationals List, and Canada listed the group as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code, which “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,” Treasury said. The listing took effect Oct. 11.

The U.S. also sanctioned Khaled Barakat, a Canadian citizen and a member of the PFLP whose fundraising helps support the groups’ “terrorist activity against Israel,” Treasury said. The agency added that Barakat has “previously publicly acknowledged Samidoun’s affiliation with the PFLP, despite direction from PFLP leadership to maintain the confidential nature of the relationship.”