John, 

Today, the Government of Canada announced that Samidoun will finally be listed as a terrorist entity under Canadian law. This is a major victory for fighting extremism and antisemitism in Canada.

Read the Government of Canada’s statement here.

Read CIJA’s press release here.

Samidoun is a Vancouver-based group that has been registered as a non-profit in Canada. It has been openly tied to the PFLP and Iran’s IRGC, both also listed terrorist groups. Samidoun has praised Hamas and Hezbollah, celebrated October 7, called for violence, chanted “Death to Canada! Death to the United States! Death to Israel!” while burning a Canadian flag, and one of its central leaders, Charlotte Kates, was presented a so-called “humanitarian award” by the IRGC in Tehran.

That’s the same Charlotte Kates who was arrested in British Columbia for hate speech and banned from attending anti-Israel protests for her glorification of terror.

Samidoun has been listed as a terrorist entity in Israel and banned in Germany and the Netherlands. Its use of American financial services has been blocked by the US government, and its leaders have been prevented from entering the EU.

And yet, until now, Samidoun has enjoyed status as a registered non-profit in Canada, giving it the right to tax exemptions and other benefits. Now, as a terror entity, it will not be able to operate with impunity in Canada.

CIJA has been calling for Samidoun to be listed as a terror entity since 2020, and you –Canada’s Jewish community and allies – have made countless efforts to urge the Government to take this action. You’ve signed petitions – both CIJA’s and those from elected officials such as MP Kevin Vuong, and from the Conservative Party of Canada. You contacted your MPs, wrote to media, called out hate online, and took the steps necessary to make this happen.

We want to thank you for all the hard work you’ve done to help keep Canada’s Jewish community safe and stem the rising tide of antisemitism in our country.

Contact us at [email protected] with questions or comments. 

CIJA