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Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network)

Website:

samidoun.net
Location:

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Type:

Fiscally Sponsored Pro-Palestine Activist Group
Founded:

2011
Director:

Charlotte Kates

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Samidoun, also known as the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, is an international advocacy group which opposes the detention and prosecution of pro-Palestine activists and militants by the state of Israel. The group also campaigns on behalf of Palestinian activists imprisoned in Western countries, including those arrested for their alleged involvement with organizations implicated in terrorist activity. The group’s leadership has declared solidarity with a variety of far-left causes worldwide, including militant Black and Native American activism in the United States. The organization’s name comes from the Arabic word for “steadfast” and may be translated as “the steadfast ones.” 1 2

Samidoun is a fiscally sponsored project of the Alliance for Global Justice, a left-wing organizing group which backs as many as 140 pro-Palestine, anti-immigration enforcement, and racial- and LGBT-activist projects in the United States and around the world. In February 2023, the Washington Free Beacon reported that the alliance had lost access to its payment processing service after a pro-Israel think tank had filed a complaint to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over alleged ties between Samidoun and Palestinian terrorist groups. The Alliance called these allegations “false and dangerous” and claimed to be “under attack by right-wing media.” 3 4

Samidoun has come into conflict with left-of-center groups which position themselves as pro-Israel. Notably, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an influential Jewish activist organization, has attacked Samidoun for endorsing the Mapping Project, a controversial initiative publicizing the locations of corporations and institutions which allegedly enable the Israeli security state. In response, Samidoun has reaffirmed its endorsement of the project and dismissed criticisms of it, claiming that they are “meant to distract” from “the connections between policing, imperialism, and Zionist colonialism.” 5 6

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, the group reportedly helped organize anti-Israeli protests around the world and were listed on a flyer advertising an anti-Israeli event at Princeton University organized by the Princeton Palestine Liberation Coalition on December 1. 7 The group was reportedly banned from operating within Germany after local members of the group passed out candy to residents in Berlin on October 7 claiming they were doing so, “to celebrate our victory.” 8 9

Background

The Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network was conceived in 2011 following a series of hunger strikes by pro-Palestine detainees in Israeli jails in September and October of that year. Since then, it claims to have established several dozen chapters in the United States, Canada, the European Union, the Middle East—including in disputed Palestinian territories and in Iran—and elsewhere. 10

The state of Israel considers Samidoun to be a terrorist organization. In 2021, the Israeli Ministry of Justice accused the group of functioning as an arm of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an umbrella entity for a number of Palestinian militant forces which the United States government also designates as a terror group. 11 More recently, however, American officials under the Biden administration have questioned the Israeli government’s decision on Samidoun and related groups: in August 2022, Department of State spokesman Ned Price expressed the administration’s “concern” about the terrorism associate label, and claimed that American national security officials “don’t have that information yet.” 12

October 7 Hamas Terror attack against Israel

On October 7, 2023, the same day as the Hamas terrorist attacks committed against Israel, it was reported that members of the organization in Germany handed out candy to residents in a district of Berlin claiming it was, “to celebrate our victory.” 13 14 Following this incident, on November 2, Germany banned the organization from operating within the country while passing a legal framework to stop all activities of the group along with any other organization operating in Germany that supports Hamas. 15

The organization was listed on a flyer advertising an anti-Israeli event, “Princeton Rally for Divestment from Israel,” scheduled to take place on December 1, 2023 at Princeton University. Organized by the Princeton Palestine Liberation Coalition, the event’s flyer stated, “Princeton, Princeton, you can’t hide. You’re supporting genocide.” 16 According to The Washington Free Beacon, Samidoun has helped organize multiple anti-Israeli protests and rallies around the world following the October 7 attacks. On the Princeton campus, over a dozen faculty members signed a letter endorsing a full boycott of Israel and accusing the country of a, “genocidal assault on Gaza, of apartheid in the occupied West Bank, and of structural racism and discrimination inside the state of Israel.” 17 In addition, claims emerged that anti-Israeli rallies on the Princeton campus called for an “intifada” while accusing Jewish students on the campus of genocide as well. 18

Parent Organization

The Alliance for Global Justice is a self-described “anti-capitalist” organizing group which functions as a fiscal sponsor for more than 100 left-wing activism projects related to race, LGBT, open borders, the pro-Palestine cause, and other issues. Despite its radical leanings, the organization has received funding from major left-of-center grantmaking institutions, including the Tides Foundation and the Open Society Foundations of billionaire activist financier George Soros. The alliance has faced difficulties with accessing payment processing services: in 2021, Discover Card cut the organization off from its network, and in early 2023, the organization issued a statement that its new processor had also blocked credit card donations. 19 20

Supported Figures

Samidoun opposes the Israeli state’s use of law enforcement and military force in the disputed Palestinian territories. In particular, the group campaigns against Israel and its allies for targeting alleged terrorists within the pro-Palestine activist and militant movements. 21

Ahmed Saadat

The one-time head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was sentenced to a 30-year prison term in 2008 on charges of being a leader in the organization, which Israel regards as a terrorist group, as well as incitement to murder. Saadat led the organization in 2001, when one of its militants assassinated Israeli tourism minister Rechavam Ze’evi. 22

Samidoun has organized, provided publicity for, and otherwise supported protests against Saadat’s imprisonment around the world. These have included events in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and elsewhere. One of the protests which the organization endorsed was organized by a communist youth group in France which was also agitating for the release of Lebanese-born militant Georges Abdallah. 23

Georges Abdallah

The former leader of the Lebanese Revolutionary Armed Forces, a Marxist pro-Palestine militia in Lebanon, was imprisoned in 1984. That year, he had traveled to France from his residence in Switzerland, but was stopped by law enforcement and was found to be carrying a forged passport. In the early 1980s, Abdallah’s militia had been implicated in several terrorist acts, including the assassinations of Charles Ray, the deputy military attaché at the United States embassy in France; American admiral Leamon Hunt; and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov. Following his arrest, members of the militia kidnapped French diplomat Sidney Giles Peyroles. French authorities initially agreed to a prisoner exchange, and the militia released their captive, but Abdallah was soon facing additional charges after police found explosives and firearms in an apartment he was renting. 24

Samidoun has backed demonstrations supporting Abdallah in his home country of Lebanon, as well as in France and Canada. The organization describes him as a “political prisoner” and has attacked the French state for denying his appeals to be released. Protests surrounding the Abdallah solidarity campaign have included members of France’s Antifa radical movement. 25

Ghassan Kanafani

The pro-Palestine ideologue was the spokesman for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in 1972, at the time of the Lod Airport Massacre. In May of that year, three Japanese communist militants recruited by the Popular Front opened fire on passengers at what is today known as Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, killing 26 people, including 17 Christian pilgrims from Puerto Rico, and injuring at least 80. Two months later, Israeli intelligence assassinated Kanafani, and the primary planner of the attack was similarly eliminated in 1978. 26 27

In July 2022, on the 50th anniversary of Kanafani’s death, Samidoun published a call to organize demonstrations venerating him, host presentations on his ideology, and post posters with his quotes in cities all over the world. The organization’s statement did not include any reference to his connections to the Lod Massacre. 28

Leadership

Charlotte Lynne Kates is the director and international coordinator of Samidoun. She has also worked for Al-Awda, a leading activist group in the Palestinian “right of return” movement, which demands compensation to Arabs allegedly displaced due to the establishment of the Israeli state in 1948. In addition, she has worked with the far-left National Lawyers Guild which, in addition to defending Antifa and other radical groups, supports the United States Campaign for Palestinian Rights, formerly known as the United States Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. Kates lives in Canada and was deported there in October 2022 after attempting to enter the Netherlands and being banned from the European Union. Kates has reportedly met with representatives of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Israel have designated as a terror organization. She has spoken out in support of numerous Palestinian activists and militants detained by Israeli authorities for alleged terrorist activities, and in April 2014, she endorsed Popular Front leader Leila Khaled, a participant in the 1969 and 1970 Israeli passenger airliner hijackings. 29

Khaled Barakat is the husband of Charlotte Kates and resides with her in Canada. Israeli intelligence claims that he is a high-ranking figure within the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, an advocacy group for Canadian Jews, claims that he is also a leader of Samidoun along with his wife. Canada has designated the Popular Front as a terror group, and Canada’s Senate has debated the possibility of deporting Barakat. 30

Financials

Samidoun receives its funding from left-wing organizing group Alliance for Global Justice (AGJ). 31

References

  1. “About Samidoun.” Samidoun. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://samidoun.net/about-samidoun/
  2. Charlotte Kates. “Samidoun.” This Week In Palestine. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://thisweekinpalestine.com/samidoun/
  3. “SOS – AfGJ has been attacked!” Alliance for Global Justice. February 14, 2023. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://afgj.org/sos-afgj-has-been-attacked
  4. Andrew Kerr. “Top Left-Wing Network Blocked From Credit Card Processor Over Ties to Palestinian Terror Group.” The Washington Free Beacon. February 16, 2023. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/democrats/palestinian-terror-linked-organization-cut-off-from-fundraising-platform/
  5. “Unmapping the ‘Mapping Project.’” ADL. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.adl.org/boston-mapping-project
  6. “Reject Repression: Support the Mapping Project.” Samidoun. June 23, 2022. Accessed 25 September 2023. https://samidoun.net/2022/06/reject-repression-support-the-mapping-project/
  7. Goodman, Alana. “Terrorist Group Sponsored Princeton Anti-Israel Rally.” The Washington Free Beacon, December 1, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/campus/terrorist-group-sponsored-princeton-anti-israel-rally/
  8. “Pro-Palestinian activists hand out sweets for massacre.” Israel International News, October 7, 2023. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/378039
  9. “Germany bans Hamas activities, dissolves Samidoun group.” Deutsche Welle (DW), November 2, 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-bans-hamas-activities-dissolves-samidoun-group/a-67284435
  10. “About Samidoun.” Samidoun. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://samidoun.net/about-samidoun/
  11. “Charlotte Kates.” Canary Mission. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://canarymission.org/individual/Charlotte_Kates
  12. Ron Kampeas. “Biden administration: Israel has yet to justify shuttering of Palestinian human rights groups.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. August 18, 2022. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2022/08/18/united-states/biden-administration-israel-has-yet-to-justify-shuttering-of-palestinian-human-rights-groups
  13. Goodman, Alana. “Terrorist Group Sponsored Princeton Anti-Israel Rally.” The Washington Free Beacon, December 1, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/campus/terrorist-group-sponsored-princeton-anti-israel-rally/
  14. “Pro-Palestinian activists hand out sweets for massacre.” Israel International News, October 7, 2023. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/378039
  15. “Germany bans Hamas activities, dissolves Samidoun group.” Deutsche Welle (DW), November 2, 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-bans-hamas-activities-dissolves-samidoun-group/a-67284435
  16. Goodman, Alana. “Terrorist Group Sponsored Princeton Anti-Israel Rally.” The Washington Free Beacon, December 1, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/campus/terrorist-group-sponsored-princeton-anti-israel-rally/
  17. Goodman, Alana. “Terrorist Group Sponsored Princeton Anti-Israel Rally.” The Washington Free Beacon, December 1, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/campus/terrorist-group-sponsored-princeton-anti-israel-rally/
  18. Goodman, Alana. “Terrorist Group Sponsored Princeton Anti-Israel Rally.” The Washington Free Beacon, December 1, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/campus/terrorist-group-sponsored-princeton-anti-israel-rally/
  19. “SOS – AfGJ has been attacked!” Alliance for Global Justice. February 14, 2023. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://afgj.org/sos-afgj-has-been-attacked
  20. Andrew Kerr. “Top Left-Wing Network Blocked From Credit Card Processor Over Ties to Palestinian Terror Group.” The Washington Free Beacon. February 16, 2023. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://freebeacon.com/democrats/palestinian-terror-linked-organization-cut-off-from-fundraising-platform/
  21. “About Samidoun.” Samidoun. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://samidoun.net/about-samidoun/
  22. Nissan Ratzlav-Katz. “30 Years in Jail for PFLP Leader.” Israel National News. December 26, 2008. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/129043
  23. “Ahmad Sa’adat.” Samidoun. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://samidoun.net/category/prisoners/ahmad-saadat/
  24. Hassina Mechaï. “Who is Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, the oldest political prisoner in Europe?” Middle East Monitor. September 17, 2020. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200917-who-is-georges-ibrahim-abdallah-the-oldest-political-prisoner-in-europe/
  25. “Georges Abdallah.” Samidoun. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://samidoun.net/category/campaigns/georges-abdallah/
  26. Michael Starr. “New media outlet may have ties to Palestinian terrorist group.” The Jerusalem Post. July 18, 2022. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-712391
  27. “The Lod Massacre.” Jewish Virtual Library. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-lod-massacre
  28. “Call to Organize for the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Ghassan Kanafani.” Samidoun. July 8, 2022. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://samidoun.net/2022/05/july-8-2022-ghassan-lives-palestine-lives-call-to-organize-for-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-assassination-of-ghassan-kanafani/
  29. “Charlotte Kates.” Canary Mission. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://canarymission.org/individual/Charlotte_Kates
  30. Michael Starr. “Canadian event with PFLP terrorism ties held at Ottawa city-owned property.” The Jerusalem Post. June 3, 2022. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-708524
  31. “SOS – AfGJ has been attacked!” Alliance for Global Justice. February 14, 2023. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://afgj.org/sos-afgj-has-been-attacked
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Samidoun (Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network)


Vancouver, BC
Canada