How Iran’s Tentacles Are Reaching Into Europe | Opinion – Newsweek
"My name is Khaled Barakat and I am here to express the views of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)." So begins a 2016 interview by Khaled Barakat, leader of the 'Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Network'.
Founded in 2012, and operating in Europe, North America, as well as Iran, Samidoun claims to be "an international network of organizers and activists working to build solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in their struggle for freedom."
The reality however is that Samidoun, and key Samidoun leaders, such as Barakat, serve as an inseparable arm of the PFLP, an EU-and U.S.-designated terror group, thereby being inextricably tied to the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The key question is for how much longer will the European Union keep turning its back and allow Samidoun to continue operating unabated, while Iran further spreads its tentacles of terror in Europe?
Most of the prisoners for whom Samidoun advocates are no mere common criminals. They are murderers and convicted terrorists with ties to PFLP, including Ahmad Sa'adat, who in 2001 assassinated Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi in Jerusalem, and Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who is serving a life sentence in France for his role in the 1982 murder of American and Israeli diplomats in Paris.
The PFLP was founded in 1967 as a Marxist-Leninist Arab nationalist group, to oppose by violence the existence of Israel. They first made a name for themselves during the 1960s and 1970s with a series of high-profile airplane hijackings, including in Europe. More recently, in 2014, PFLP terrorists armed with guns and meat cleavers entered a Jerusalem synagogue and murdered five people. In 2019, PFLP terrorists murdered 17-year-old Israeli girl Rina Schnerb by remotely detonating an explosive device.
In 2019, Samidoun leader Barakat was deported from Germany, following a Berlin appellate court finding that he "repeatedly acted as an activist for the PFLP."
In 2021, Israel formally designated Samidoun as a terrorist organization, specifically citing their links to PFLP and noting that Barakat, "is part of the leadership of PFLP abroad."
Barakat is not the only senior leader in Samidoun with terror links. Mustapha Awad is Samidoun's Europe representative. A Lebanese-Belgian national based in Brussels, he too is a member of PFLP, who was convicted in 2019 of receiving training by Hezbollah and wiring money to Barakat from Lebanon and Syria, on the directions of PFLP.
Another is Mohammed Khatib, who currently resides in Brussels and serves as the Europe Coordinator for Samidoun. Like his colleagues, Khatib is also a member of PFLP. On Oct. 29, 2022, Khatib coordinated the "March of Return and Liberation" rally in Brussels, proclaiming outside the European Parliament that "Defeating Israel means defeating the United States and defeating this colonial [EU] institution," using "any means necessary" including "bullets, Kalashnikovs, and rockets."
Even the major credit card companies and financial institutions shut down the ability of Samidoun to use their services for online fundraising, because of concerns they would be providing "material support" to terrorism.
The one destructive thread that weaves all this hatred of our shared democratic values, is the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The PFLP is a proxy of the Iranian regime, which provides the terror group with money, training, and weapons.
Samidoun, an off shoot of the PFLP, has a branch in Tehran. They have even held events there, under pretext of "cultural activity," to elicit support for operations in Europe. Their leader, Khaled Barakat, is a regular on Iran's state PressTV, calling for violence and lauding Iran's involvement in the region.
Senior Samidoun members in Europe, like Mustapha Awad, have been trained by Hezbollah, another Iranian terror proxy, and have transferred money from Lebanon and Syria to Barakat, representing the most direct financial link between Samidoun and the Iranian regime.
Samidoun has also expressed support and admiration for Qassem Soleimani, the former head of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was killed in an American strike in 2020, calling him a major "military and political leader," while advocating support for the regime of Ayatollah Khamenei and an end to sanctions.
It is utterly incomprehensible, therefore, that the EU has not yet designated Samidoun a terror group.
According to the Council of the European Union, groups and/or individuals can be added to the EU terror list on the basis of "proposals submitted by member states based on a decision by a competent authority of a member state or a third country." In this regard, there is already a standing designation by Israel of Samidoun as a terror group and a decision of a German court finding Barakat to be a senior PFLP operative.
Furthermore, according to the Council of the European UnionCommon Position Paper 931 and the European Court of Justice, a decision of an EU Member State court is not even necessary. Even just the initiation of an investigation by police or national authorities, including those outside the European Union, would suffice.
Given the irrefutable axis-of-terror between Samidoun, PFLP and the Iranian regime, the EU has the duty to put Samidoun and senior Samidoun leaders on the EU terror list. They should do this not as some favor to Israel, but because otherwise they continue to turn their backs to a group that presents a clear and present security threat to the European Union and EU citizens.
Arsen Ostrovsky is a human rights attorney and CEO of The International Legal Forum. You can follow him on Twitter at: @Ostrov_A.
Patricia Teitelbaum is chair of the Brussels-based International Movement for Peace and Coexistence. You can follow the organization on Twitter at: @IMPACoexistence.
The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
Read the original here:
How Iran's Tentacles Are Reaching Into Europe | Opinion - Newsweek
- PM: Iran dumbfounded by Israeli strikes, saw investment in proxies go down the tubes - The Times of Israel - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran could build nuclear weapon, Trump told by White House - The Telegraph - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- The year ahead in the Middle East: A weakened Iran has big implications for China - The Conversation - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- The Iran-led axis of resistance in the aftermath of Syrias upheaval - Al Jazeera English - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- PM vows escalated fight against Houthis; officials said urging direct attack on Iran - The Times of Israel - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Analysis: The Islamic State and Iran remain determined to attack the US - Long War Journal - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Khamenei says Iran does not have or need proxy forces in Middle East - The Times of Israel - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran plagued by energy crisis partially caused by strikes attributed to Israel - The Times of Israel - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- US imposes sanctions on Iran and Houthi-related targets - Reuters - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Christmas in Tehran During the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis - The New Yorker - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Women Being Sent to the Gallows in Alarming Numbers in Iran - Center for Human Rights in Iran - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Trump Reportedly Offers To Hold High-level Nuclear Talks With Iran - i24NEWS - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran pauses the process to implement a new, stricter headscarf law for women, official says - The Associated Press - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Documents captured from Hamas reveal Iran's complex weapons smuggling network - The Jerusalem Post - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- UN pushes for Iran nuclear deal talks, says 'time of the essence' - Reuters.com - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Netanyahu: 'Just as we acted forcefully against Iran's axis of evil, we will act against Houthis' - The Jerusalem Post - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- The Middle East Is in Chaos. Iran Is Focused on the Veil. - Foreign Policy - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran expands weaponization capabilities critical for employing nuclear bomb - Fox News - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran: Only Three Days of Electricity and Gasoline Per Week - Iran Focus - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran celebrates 3rd anniversary of Yalda Nights UNESCO designation - Tehran Times - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Its proxies pummeled, Iran is suddenly more vulnerable than ever. Will it go nuclear? - The Times of Israel - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- FIFA hails all-women crowd of 45K at game in Iran - ESPN - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Two charged in connection with Iran-backed drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East - The Associated Press - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Syrians have every right to hate us Iranians | Iran International - - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- UN monitor says reviving Iran deal now irrelevant, since Tehran on cusp of nuke - The Times of Israel - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Syria has been liberated from Russia and Iran but outsiders still threaten its new freedom - The Guardian - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Western sabotage intended to create chaos in Iran - Tehran Times - December 22nd, 2024 [December 22nd, 2024]
- Iran throws its support behind Assad as rebels expand their shock offensive in Syria - NBC News - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran says insecurity in Syria will spread beyond borders - - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran to begin enriching uranium with thousands of advanced centrifuges, UN watchdog says - The Associated Press - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Rebels in Syria take advantage of Israels successes against a weakened Iran axis - The Times of Israel - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Avoiding the next front: Iraqs fight to stay out of the Israel-Iran conflict - European Council on Foreign Relations - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- How to Avoid a Nuclear Crisis with Iran - Stimson Center - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran, Europeans test diplomacy with Trump term looming - Reuters - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran says it will keep military advisers in Syria amid rebel advances - The Times of Israel - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Trumps chance for a major breakthrough in Iran-West relations - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Hezbollah killed his son. Now hes suing Iran for him and 46 other American victims - The Times of Israel - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- With Trump Returning and Hezbollah Weakened, Iran Strikes a Conciliatory Tone - The New York Times - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran and Europe seek to break nuclear impasse before return of Trump - The Guardian - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Saudi Arabia Strengthens Ties With Both US and Iran Before Trump - Bloomberg - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- British Fan of Homeland Series Is Convicted of Spying for Iran - The New York Times - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran looks to invest $6B in Afghanistan as route to China: What to know - Al-Monitor - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Daniel Khalife was a British soldier who spied for Iran and wanted to be a double agent - BBC.com - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran-EAEU FTA to be implemented in early 2025 - Tehran Times - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Amid lull in tit-for -tat missile exchange, Iran and Israel seek to control the online narrative - The Conversation - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Rage Against the Regime: Iran review these stories of resistance are utterly astonishing - The Guardian - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Iran hints at weaponization ahead of nuclear talks with Europe | Iran International - - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- What Iran and Hezbollah lost in war with Israel - - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Israel and Iran Seemed on the Brink of a Bigger War. Whats Holding Them Back? - The New York Times - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran's Air1Air reprimanded over flight suspension - ch-aviation - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Pop icon Googoosh is a voice for women in Iran - DW (English) - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Israel kills wanted Hezbollah commander behind the establishment of Iraqs Iran-backed militias - Long War Journal - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran Braces for Trump Reset With Economy Buckling From Sanctions - Bloomberg - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran to hold nuclear talks with Britain, France, Germany on Nov. 29 - Kyodo News Plus - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran says it immediately activated new, advanced centrifuges after IAEA censure - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran preparing to respond to Israel's Oct. 26 attack - Khamenei's aide - - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- United Nations nuclear agency again condemns Iran for failing to fully cooperate - NPR - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran is preparing to respond to Israel adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran says it is activating new centrifuges after being condemned by UN nuclear watchdog - CNN - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran to "substantially increase" uranium enrichment capacity over IAEA rebuke led by U.S. and allies - CBS News - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran defies international pressure, increasing its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, UN says - The Associated Press - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran offers to cap sensitive uranium stock as IAEA resolution looms - Reuters - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran has ambitions in Western Sahara. Trump can contain them by bolstering ties with Morocco. - Atlantic Council - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Israeli rabbi kidnapped in UAE, sparking fears of Iran's involvement - - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran's President calls on Pope Francis to use influence to stop war in Middle East - Reuters - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- American-Israeli families sue Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah in federal court - Middle East Eye - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Norwegian guard at US Embassy in Oslo arrested over allegations of spying for Russia and Iran - CNN - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran categorically rejects allegations of involvement in murder of Abu Dhabi rabbi - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran: EU widens restrictive measures in view of Iran support of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and lists one individual and four... - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Student Charged With Spying on US Embassy for Russia, Iran - Newsweek - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Russia sends Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine after they were tricked into signing up for war by Iran-backed Houthis: report - New York Post - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Did We Do Enough? Airmen Heed Lessons from Their Air Victory over Iran - Air & Space Forces Magazine - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Guard at U.S. Embassy in Norway Accused of Spying for Russia and Iran - The New York Times - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Is Iran's Khamenei signaling readiness for new deal as Trump threat looms large? - Al-Monitor - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran signals willingness to halt stockpile expansion, Grossi says - World Nuclear News - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran set to launch advanced centrifuges after IAEA censure for noncooperation - The Times of Israel - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- The winds of change are blowing in Iran - The Spectator - November 24th, 2024 [November 24th, 2024]
- Iran says German-Iranian died before execution was reported - BBC.com - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Iran is now dangerously vulnerable to the consequences of another attack on Israel - Business Insider - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- Federal agencies say Russia and Iran are ramping up influence campaigns targeting US voters - The Associated Press - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]