CIJA Welcomes Government of Canada's Decision to List Samidoun as a Terrorist Entity

Calls for Legal Action Against Samidoun Coordinator for Hate Speech

Ottawa, ON – October 15, 2024 – The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) welcomes today’s long-overdue decision by the Government of Canada to designate Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network) officially as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.

“This decisive action sets a strong precedent that organizations that promote violence and hate will not be tolerated in Canada, and we thank Minister Dominic LeBlanc for his work in setting that precedent,” said Shimon Koffler Fogel, President and CEO, CIJA. “Listing the group as a terrorist entity means they will no longer be able to use our streets as a platform to incite hate and division against the Jewish community; this is a significant step toward ensuring the safety and security of Canada’s Jews.”

"Samidoun has never hidden its affiliation with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Canadian-listed terrorist organization. Their open and unapologetic support for violent terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PFLP, demonstrates just how dangerous they are. Their hateful rallies have encouraged participants to burn the Canadian flag and engage in chants of “Death to Canada!” The government’s decision is a welcome step, but one that is long overdue."

Samidoun’s International Coordinator, Charlotte Kates, a Canadian-based leader of the group, has been a central figure in organizing pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah rallies across the country. At these events, Kates has publicly glorified the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, calling them “heroic and brave,” while leading chants of “Long live October seventh.” Despite facing investigation by the Vancouver Police Department for hate speech, Kates continues to make inflammatory and hateful comments that incite violence against Canadian Jews.

"With today’s announcement, we would also like to acknowledge the support of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Leader of the Official Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, for their efforts in advocating for the ban of Samidoun. This move must be followed by strong legal action," Fogel said. "We call on the British Columbia Prosecution Service to charge Charlotte Kates – without further delay – under hate speech laws and to ensure she faces the full consequences of her actions. We cannot allow those who glorify terrorism and spread hate to operate with impunity in our country."

CIJA is also calling on the federal government to re-examine whether Charlotte Kates and her husband, Khaled Barakat, obtained Canadian citizenship fraudulently by failing to disclose fully their affiliation with the PFLP. Questions surrounding the couple’s ties to the PFLP have persisted, and it is critical that Canadian citizenship laws be rigorously enforced to ensure transparency and public safety.

Samidoun has been listed as a terrorist entity in Israel and banned in Germany and the Netherlands. The organization’s continued operations in Canada, including its status as a federally registered not-for-profit corporation, have been a concern for Jewish communities nationwide. CIJA has been calling for Samidoun’s designation as a terrorist entity since 2020.

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