**U.S. and Canada Target Samidoun Network and PFLP Leader in Coordinated Action to Curb Terrorist Financing**

In a significant stride towards disrupting terror financing, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network as a terrorist entity. This action, undertaken today in conjunction with Canada, spotlights the network's role as a purported charitable organization funneling funds to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist group.

The PFLP has held designations as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. Department of State since October 1997 and 2001 respectively. Acting through Samidoun, the PFLP has extended its fundraising operations across Europe and North America. Additionally, Khaled Barakat, a prominent member of the PFLP's leadership, has also been targeted in this wave of designations due to his significant role in external fundraising for the PFLP.

Today's measures align with Executive Order 13224, which empowers the U.S. to target terrorists and those providing support to terrorist organizations. In parallel, Canada has formally listed Samidoun as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code, effective from October 11. This listing explicitly identifies groups and individuals affiliated with terrorism, and imposes stringent restrictions on financial dealings related to these entities.

Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized that organizations like Samidoun misrepresent their humanitarian goals while diverting crucial aid to support terrorist activities. Smith underscored the collective resolve of the United States, Canada, and their allies to dismantle the financial networks underpinning groups like the PFLP and Hamas.

Canadian Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, reinforced this stance, stating Canada's ongoing commitment to counteracting terrorist organizations in collaboration with international partners. He affirmed the potency of joint actions in sending an unequivocal message against tolerance for activities financing terrorism.

The U.S. Treasury recently highlighted this issue further through actions on October 7, 2024, aimed at exposing misuse of the non-profit sector for terrorist funding disguised as charitable work. These measures, supported by data from Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), aim to safeguard the legitimate non-profit sector and ensure humanitarian organizations can continue their vital work without interference.

Samidoun, based in Vancouver, Canada, acts as a fundraising front for the PFLP, allegedly channeling funds ostensibly meant for Palestinian prisoners and their families towards the sanctioned terrorist organization. This designation extends to Khaled Barakat, whose activities have supported the PFLP's terrorist operations against Israel. Barakat's public acknowledgments of Samidoun's connections to the PFLP stands in stark contrast to the PFLP's directives to keep this relationship confidential.

As a result of these designations, all properties and interests in property belonging to the identified individuals and entities under U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and transactions involving these assets are prohibited. OFAC regulations necessitate compliance from U.S. persons and entities globally, with non-compliance potentially resulting in severe penalties.

Non-U.S. financial institutions are also cautioned against engaging with the designated entities and individuals, as such actions could expose them to enforcement measures or secondary sanctions under Executive Order 13224. The U.S. government maintains that the objective of sanctions is reform rather than punishment, encouraging entities to seek removal from sanctions lists through compliance with regulations.

Both U.S. and Canadian authorities reiterate their commitment to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need without being diverted by malicious actors. The actions against Samidoun and PFLP affiliates underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity of international financial aid for vulnerable populations.