Scott Campbell on Nostr: Yesterday, Samidoun was labelled a "terrorist organization" by the United States and ...
Yesterday, Samidoun was labelled a "terrorist organization" by the United States and Canada, adding to previous designations by Israel and Germany. The U.S. claims Samidoun is a "front organization" and a "sham charity" for the PFLP. For it's part, Samidoun claims it has no material or organizational links to any group listed by the U.S. as a "terrorist organization," including the PFLP.
I disagree with Samidoun on a lot of things. I do not share their political vision. But concern for this act by the U.S. extends beyond political disagreements. In no way can Samidoun be understood as a "terrorist organization." The extent of their work is posting statements, organizing public educational and political events, and pushing online action campaigns.
For years, they have done crucial work lifting up the cause of Palestinian prisoners held by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, often when few others have been doing so. This designation is nothing more than an attempt to silence at outspoken, pro-Palestine voice in the midst of a genocide being facilitated by the U.S. One may not like all that they say, but that is not the point. That they have come for Samidoun means that they can come for any pro-Palestine organization, any community group, any student group, etc. As such, this move must be vociferously denounced.
At least 411 Palestinian organizations are labelled by Israel as "unlawful" or as "terrorist organizations." The U.S. often uncritically adopts such framings. Palestine is, by its existence under settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, and genocide, a politicized society. Any political expression by Palestinians is deemed "terrorism" by Israel. To act in principled solidarity with the struggle for Palestinian liberation is to be guided by Palestinian visions for liberation, such as those embodied in the BDS call of 2005, signed by 170 Palestinian civil society organizations - some of whom are labelled as "terrorist."
According to such logic, groups working in solidarity with those being genocided can be classified as "terrorist organizations" by the ones conducting and enabling the genocide. We cannot let such moves frighten us or silence us, as is certainly the intent. If their laws make solidarity illegal, then it should be an honor to be a criminal.
palestine group (npub13em…flpf) #Palestine #Israel #Gaza #Samidoun #USA #USpol
I disagree with Samidoun on a lot of things. I do not share their political vision. But concern for this act by the U.S. extends beyond political disagreements. In no way can Samidoun be understood as a "terrorist organization." The extent of their work is posting statements, organizing public educational and political events, and pushing online action campaigns.
For years, they have done crucial work lifting up the cause of Palestinian prisoners held by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, often when few others have been doing so. This designation is nothing more than an attempt to silence at outspoken, pro-Palestine voice in the midst of a genocide being facilitated by the U.S. One may not like all that they say, but that is not the point. That they have come for Samidoun means that they can come for any pro-Palestine organization, any community group, any student group, etc. As such, this move must be vociferously denounced.
At least 411 Palestinian organizations are labelled by Israel as "unlawful" or as "terrorist organizations." The U.S. often uncritically adopts such framings. Palestine is, by its existence under settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, and genocide, a politicized society. Any political expression by Palestinians is deemed "terrorism" by Israel. To act in principled solidarity with the struggle for Palestinian liberation is to be guided by Palestinian visions for liberation, such as those embodied in the BDS call of 2005, signed by 170 Palestinian civil society organizations - some of whom are labelled as "terrorist."
According to such logic, groups working in solidarity with those being genocided can be classified as "terrorist organizations" by the ones conducting and enabling the genocide. We cannot let such moves frighten us or silence us, as is certainly the intent. If their laws make solidarity illegal, then it should be an honor to be a criminal.
palestine group (npub13em…flpf) #Palestine #Israel #Gaza #Samidoun #USA #USpol