EU Lawmakers Call to Outlaw Samidoun at European Parliament Conference
Calls to ban Samidoun and its front group Masar Badil follow the U.S. and Canada’s decision to outlaw Samidoun in October 2024
European lawmakers and security experts are calling for immediate action to ban the U.S.-designated terror organization Samidoun, and it’s front organization Masar Badil. EU leaders say these organizations are undermining European democracy and spreading radical ideologies.
At a high-level conference in Brussels on March 5, 2025, Member of European Parliament (MEP) Bert-Jan Ruissen and other EU lawmakers emphasized that Europe can no longer ignore the threat posed by these groups. Experts at the event detailed how these organizations exploit European freedoms, promote violence, and have links to terrorism, while legal barriers prevent their placement on the EU terror list. With growing concerns over radicalization, calls for stronger legislation and immediate bans are intensifying.
Experts Warn of Growing Extremist Influence
The conference, hosted by MEPs from multiple political groups, brought together security specialists and activists who stressed the dangers of extremist networks operating under the guise of NGOs. Malik Azmani, an MEP from the Netherlands, argued that Europe has become "too tolerant of intolerance," allowing radical groups to thrive. Imam Hassan Chalghoumi, a vocal opponent of extremism, revealed that those who challenge radical ideologies face serious threats to their safety.
Speaker Mzahen Alsaloum, an expert on extremist networks, highlighted how Samidoun and Masar Badil exploit Europe’s legal and humanitarian frameworks by posing as NGOs. His extensive research into the organizations' movements and financial networks in Europe has revealed how these extremist groups use nonprofit status to conceal their fundraising for terrorism and radicalization efforts.
Spain was highlighted as a particular area of concern, with Angel Mas, president of Action and Communication on the Middle East (ACOM), warning that the country has become a testing ground for radicalization. He criticized the Spanish government for failing to take action against groups promoting extremist violence.
Meanwhile, Hans-Jakob Schindler of the Counter Extremism Project explained that existing EU legal frameworks are inadequate for addressing the growing problem. Schindler described Samidoun as a network that "allow[s] for the cooperation between various violent extremist milieus." He pointed to Samidoun's involvement in large-scale demonstrations after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, where "a significant number of criminal acts were committed, including, at times, serious violence against the police." He warned that the group plays a role in mobilizing both Islamist and left-wing extremist circles, contributing to the glorification of violence and antisemitism.
Regarding the difficulty of adding Samidoun to the EU’s terrorist list, Schindler acknowledged that while the list is a powerful tool, "adding new entities to this list requires a complex administrative process." He suggested that the EU may need to reconsider its approach to account for modern extremist networks that do not fit traditional hierarchical terrorist structures.
Beyond legal measures, Schindler emphasized the role of civil society and religious leaders in countering radicalization. "Coercive, legal, and administrative measures are indispensable but should be accompanied by efforts of civil society and religious leaders to raise awareness," he said. Given the increasing importance of digital platforms for extremist recruitment and propaganda, he also argued for stronger online counter-radicalization efforts.
Political Pressure to Take Decisive Action
Ruissen, who has long pushed for action against these organizations, stated that previous attempts to get answers from EU officials were met with inaction. However, with a new High Representative in place, there is hope for a more aggressive approach. The recent attacks on Jewish individuals in Amsterdam further underscored the urgency of the matter, pushing European politicians to demand immediate intervention.
Samidoun’s Activities in North America
The influence of Samidoun extends beyond Europe and into North America, where the organization has been active in protests, fundraising efforts, and radicalization campaigns. Over the past year, Samidoun has been involved in spreading extremist rhetoric, and mobilizing support for designated terrorist groups while posing as human rights advocates. In October 2024, in Vancouver, Canada, Samidoun members gathered for a protest where they burned Canadian flags while chanting, "Death to Canada, death to the United States, and death to Israel." These activities have drawn increased scrutiny from U.S. authorities, particularly after the organization's designation as a terrorist entity in 2024.
One alarming example of this infiltration into Western institutions is the case of Helyeh Doutaghi, a doctoral student and researcher at Yale Law School. Doutaghi was placed on administrative leave after being revealed as a member of Samidoun’s global network. Her scheduled participation in a panel alongside senior Samidoun leader Khaled Barakat—a sanctioned associate of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—further underscores how these extremist groups embed themselves in academia to gain credibility and legitimacy.