5.96°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Oct 15, 2024 4:57 PM - Connect Newsroom - Debby Rai with files from The Canadian Press

Canada designates pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist entity; U.S. sanctions Canadian citizen linked to it

Share On
canada-and-u-s-list-samidoun-as-terrorist-group-u-s-adds-canadian-to-terror-list
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Samidoun will now be listed under Criminal Code offences that ban people from donating or providing property to the group. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The Government of Canada has officially listed the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist organization under the Criminal Code, citing its close ties to a group already designated as a terrorist entity - the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the designation on Tuesday, saying it is now a criminal offence to donate or provide property, financial assistance, or other resources to the group. LeBlanc said the listing reflects Canada’s “commitment to protecting public safety and countering violent extremism.”

Samidoun, also known as the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, has been accused by Ottawa of advancing the interests of the PFLP, a Marxist-Leninist Palestinian organization that Canada, the United States, and the European Union have long classified as a terrorist entity.

At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Canadian citizen Khaled Barakat has been added to its counter-terrorism sanctions list, alleging that he is part of the PFLP’s leadership and fundraising network.

American officials describe Samidoun as being headquartered in Vancouver, claiming the group operates under the guise of a humanitarian organization while supporting acts of terrorism against Israel.

The move follows calls from Canada’s Conservative Party, which last week urged the federal government to ban Samidoun, accusing the group of organizing rallies across Canadian cities where participants called for the destruction of Israel.

Samidoun has not yet issued a public response to the designation.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions across Canada’s Jewish and Palestinian communities, particularly in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, where pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations have increased over the past year. Community leaders have urged dialogue and restraint as emotions remain high following continued violence in the Middle East.

Latest news

See All
coquitlam-rcmp-warn-residents-after-spike-in-home-break-ins-targeting-back-doors
BCDec 18, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP warn residents after spike in home break-ins targeting back doors

Coquitlam RCMP are urging residents to take extra precautions after a recent increase in residential break and enters across the city, many involving similar methods and locations. Police say the incidents have raised concern among investigators due to their frequency and pattern. Mounties report receiving about 21 complaints of residential break-ins since November 23. In most cases, suspects entered homes through rear sliding glass doors, with incidents largely occurring between mid-afternoon and late evening, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Police note that homes backing onto green spaces, trails, or
burnaby-rcmp-seek-public-help-to-identify-suspects-in-south-burnaby-package-theft
BCDec 18, 2025

Burnaby RCMP seek public help to identify suspects in South Burnaby package theft

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify three people believed to be involved in a package theft at a South Burnaby home earlier this month. Police say the incident happened just before noon on December 1, when a dark-coloured SUV stopped outside a residence. Investigators allege a male suspect briefly exited the vehicle before two female suspects approached the front door and removed multiple delivered packages, placing them in the back of the SUV before driving away. Mounties say package thefts typically increase during the holiday season, with residents across Burnaby and
IndiaDec 18, 2025

Punjab and Haryana High Court dismisses Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s plea to attend Parliament session

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, who had sought permission to attend the ongoing winter session of Parliament. During the hearing, the court noted that the matter had been repeatedly deferred over the past three days due to the absence of Amritpal Singh’s legal counsel. The bench observed that with the winter session concluding on Friday, it was no longer feasible for the MP to secure parole and participate in the remaining proceedings. The court advised that any request to attend future sessions of
five-firearms-stolen-bullion-seized-in-abbotsford-break-and-enter-investigation
BCDec 18, 2025

Five firearms, stolen bullion seized in Abbotsford break-and-enter investigation

Abbotsford police say five firearms and a large quantity of stolen property have been recovered following the execution of a search warrant tied to a series of break-and-enter cases across the Lower Mainland. The Abbotsford Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit began investigating in mid-October after receiving multiple reports of property crimes in the region. Investigators later identified suspects believed to be connected to a problem residence in the 27800 block of Myrtle Avenue, an address known to police. On December 10, officers from the Crime Reduction Unit, assisted by frontline
pablo-rodriguez-steps-down-as-quebec-liberal-leader-amid-party-turmoil
CanadaDec 18, 2025

Pablo Rodriguez steps down as Quebec Liberal leader amid party turmoil

Pablo Rodriguez has resigned as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party just six months after taking on the role, saying his continued presence had become a distraction as the party prepares for the next provincial election. Speaking to reporters in Montreal, Rodriguez said he made the decision out of a sense of responsibility to the party, adding that unity will be critical if the Liberals hope to rebuild support and challenge the governing Coalition Avenir Québec next year. He said he is leaving with his head held high, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure. Rodriguez, a

Related News

Pablo Rodriguez steps down as Quebec Liberal leader amid party turmoil

Pablo Rodriguez steps down as Quebec Liberal leader amid party turmoil

Pablo Rodriguez has resigned as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party just six months after taking on the role, saying his continued presence had become a distraction as the party prepares for the next provincial election. Speaking to reporters in Montreal, Rodriguez said he made the decision out of a sense of responsibility to the party, adding that unity will be critical if the Liberals hope to rebuild support and challenge the governing Coalition Avenir Québec next year. He said he is leaving with his head held high, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure. Rodriguez, a
Winter storm shifts east after causing widespread travel disruptions on Prairies

Winter storm shifts east after causing widespread travel disruptions on Prairies

A powerful winter storm that snarled traffic and shut down major highways across the Prairies is now pushing east, bringing heavy snow and dangerous conditions to parts of Ontario and Quebec. Environment Canada says blizzard conditions are continuing across Saskatchewan and Manitoba as the storm moves through southern areas of both provinces. Blowing snow and strong winds are expected to gradually ease later today, but travel remains hazardous on many rural highways and secondary roads. Winter storm warnings are now in effect across north-central Ontario and into Quebec, where snowfall totals
Canada’s population dips slightly as record drop in non-permanent residents reported

Canada’s population dips slightly as record drop in non-permanent residents reported

Canada’s population declined modestly in the third quarter of the year, driven by a sharp reduction in the number of non-permanent residents, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. Preliminary estimates show the population fell by about 76,000 people between July 1 and Oct. 1, bringing the national total to roughly 41.6 million. This marked a reversal from the same quarter last year, when the population grew by more than 230,000. Statistics Canada said the decrease was largely due to a record decline in non-permanent residents, including temporary workers, international student
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link