Samidoun has been listed as a terrorist entity in Canada since Oct. 15, 2024, yet still enjoys corporate non-profit status.
That’s unacceptable according to B’nai Brith Canada, which launched a campaign to demand Corporations Canada delist the Vancouver-based terror group (also known as ‘Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network”) from its rolls and dissolve it once and for all.
“Almost a year ago, Samidoun was designated as a terrorist entity in Canada for its role in advancing the interests of other listed entities, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a violent terrorist organization responsible for hijackings, bombings, and murders,” reads the B’nai Brith letter campaign to Corporations Canada director general Hantz Prosper launched Aug. 8.
“Since being listed, Samidoun has continued to operate in Canada, organizing protests, glorifying terrorism, and spreading hate on Canadian streets. And yet, despite its terrorist designation, Corporations Canada has neglected to dissolve its not-for-profit corporation.”
B’nai Brith research and advocacy director Richard Robertson told The CJN that financial constraints imposed when being listed limit what Samidoun as a corporation can actually do. Still, he says, it flies against the spirit of listing terrorist entities here in Canada to allow them to continue to exist as a corporation. “Corporations Canada put a flag on their profile under the federal corporate registry and that is wholly insufficient.”
Considered a terrorist group under Canada’s Criminal Code, Samidoun is prohibited from certain activities, including those related to terrorist financing, travel and recruitment. According to Public Safety Canada, it is a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group, and an offence to directly or indirectly provide property knowing it will be used by or benefit a terrorist group.
In its own announcement listing Samidoun as a global terrorist entity, the U.S. Department of the Treasury called Samidoun a “sham charity” that raises funds for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization, which has been listed in Canada and the European Union. The United States designated the PFLP under executive order in October 2001, along with Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Among PFLP leadership is Canadian Khaled Barakat, also designated a foreign terrorist entity by the U.S. Treasury, and husband of Vancouver-based Samidoun director and New Jersey native Charlotte Kates. “His fundraising and recruitment efforts support the PFLP’s terrorist activity against Israel” writes the U.S. Treasury, noting, “Barakat has previously publicly acknowledged Samidoun’s affiliation with the PFLP, despite direction from PFLP leadership to maintain the confidential nature of the relationship.”
Robertson says director general Prosper has all the power he needs to act on dissolution but has not done so, despite being urged to do so immediately after Samidoun’s terror designation. Corporations Canada’s initial response, says Robertson, was that they could not engage in such a process while it was still possible for Samidoun to appeal its terror listing, but “the time frame (under section 83 of the Criminal Code) for such an appeal has long since lapsed.
“It’s our opinion that there is a way that’s well within the powers of the director under the Corporations Act, and yet there just simply hasn’t been the will to engage in such a proceeding” Robertson says, adding if Corporations Canada believes it doesn’t have the authority to do so, the department should work aggressively with Parliament to avail themselves of such powers.
“When we list an entity as a terrorist organization, we should do everything within our powers to mitigate against any air of legitimacy.” What’s happened as a result of inaction by the government he says, is rendering Samidoun’s terror listing as “mere lip service… Samidoun continues to operate their website, continues to be active on social media and Samidoun and its leaders, up until recently, at least, continued to travel abroad to advance their ideology.”
It’s a unique circumstance, Robertson concedes, as Samidoun was previously recognized as a not-for-profit corporation acting with its home base in Canada before being listed as a terrorist entity. Nevertheless, the precedent being set “by inaction of our federal government, specifically by Corporations Canada, is one that I don’t think we want to establish in this country.”
A spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, which is responsible for Corporations Canada, said it was not possible to provide comment before press time.
Since the terrorist designation, Samidoun director Charlotte Kates has continued to stir controversy, traveling to Beirut to attend the February funeral of slain terrorist Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. She also visited Iran, where she appeared on state TV praising Hamas attacks on Israel and blaming her May 2024 arrest in Vancouver over alleged incitement to hate on Zionist organizations and political officials.
Kates had been under investigation for hate speech stemming from an April 26 rally where she praised the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, but B.C.’s Prosecution Service never laid charges. British Columbia MLA Dallas Brodie is planning to file a private prosecution under sec 504 of the Criminal Code later this month against Kates, whom she dubbed “British Columbia’s most notorious mouthpiece for terrorism.”
On Aug. 6, a week after Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September, Kates posted a social media message from Hamas urging followers and supporters of the terror group to escalate activities across the globe:
“Please join us: take to the streets, act, escalate, mobilize and struggle — wherever we are. Of course, direct action that imposes a material cost on the zionist-imperialist genocidaires is the highest priority…” Kates continued, writing “Let this global movement continue and escalate in the coming days in all its forms, means, and diversity, in all cities, capitals, and squares around the world, supporting our people’s rights to freedom and independence, victory for human values and justice. Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Wednesday: 12 Safar 1447 AH.”
The same day that Kates relayed Hamas’ call for escalation, some four dozen protesters gathered outside the Montreal home of Mélanie Joly, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and former foreign affairs minister, to escalate protests over the Gaza-Israel war and claims that Canada was sending arms to Israel. On Aug. 11, a group of protesters tried to storm La Presse’s editorial offices, and then on Aug. 14, demonstrators gathered outside Radio-Canada’s Montreal offices and then silently inside the lobby, denouncing Radio-Canada and CBC coverage of the Gaza-Israel conflict as too pro-Israel.
Joly is now responsible for Corporations Canada, and The CJN asked Joly’s office if she was aware of Samidoun’s escalating rhetoric, and if the ministry would intervene to remove federal non-profit status for the terrorist group. Neither Joly, nor Conservative Opposition Industry critic Raquel Dancho responded to queries about Samidoun’s corporate listing.
B’nai Brith has been making its case in public forums and through parliamentary advocacy over the past year, says Robertson, engaging with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to express concerns over the fact that Samidoun continues to exist as a not-for-profit corporation. “The vast majority of stakeholders that we’ve spoken to have been deeply concerned.”
Robertson insists that ultimately there is no justification for continued inaction and Corporations Canada’s delay in taking action against Samidoun makes a mockery of Canada’s efforts to combat terrorism both domestically and abroad. “The longer this plays out, the bigger the stain on Canada, to Canadian society in general, and to all of those who have been the victims of Samidoun and victims of terror around the world.”
The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) called for action against extremism in Canada, and denounced Samidoun’s call for escalation, CEO Noah Shack stating, “Last week, we warned that Prime Minister Carney’s plan to recognize Palestinian statehood would embolden extremists—abroad and at home. Today, those warnings are being realized. Hamas is now openly calling for global violence—including here in Canada.” CIJA urged leaders at every level of government to reverse actions that embolden extremism, urgently boost Jewish community security, and ban the glorification of terrorism.
