Belgium’s government has taken steps to revoke the refugee status of Mohammed Khatib, the coordinator in Europe for Samidoun, a network advocating for Palestinian prisoners.
Khatib stands accused of being an “extremist hate preacher,” prompting Belgium’s Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, to request the withdrawal of his refugee status.
The decision comes following allegations that Samidoun, an organization closely associated with Palestinian Islamist groups, including Hamas, celebrated the October 7 attack on Israel.
Germany had previously banned Samidoun’s operations within its borders, citing its alleged support for Hamas.
De Moor stated that the request to revoke Khatib’s refugee status was based on information provided by security services, though no further details were disclosed. This move signals Belgium’s firm stance against individuals or organizations deemed to propagate extremism.
This development follows criticism directed at the Dutch government in March for allowing Khatib to attend a rally in the Netherlands.
Such incidents have raised concerns among European lawmakers regarding the presence and activities of individuals associated with Samidoun within their respective countries.
Samidoun describes itself as a network dedicated to building solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners’ movement and its struggle for freedom. However, its alleged ties to Hamas and its advocacy methods have drawn scrutiny from authorities in several European nations.
In November, Germany’s Interior Minister dissolved the German branch of Samidoun, accusing it of supporting and glorifying groups like Hamas. The decision came in response to an incident where individuals associated with Samidoun distributed pastries in celebration of Hamas’s attack on October 7.
On the same day as the attack, Samidoun published a “Calendar of Resistance for Palestine” on its website, urging supporters worldwide to escalate their organizing efforts and stand with the Palestinian resistance against what it described as “colonial Zionist violence and imperialist complicity.”
The move by Belgium to revoke Mohammed Khatib’s refugee status underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the activities of organizations like Samidoun and their alleged connections to extremist groups.
As authorities continue to grapple with these challenges, questions arise regarding the balance between freedom of expression and national security concerns.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
