what to do
when you
too,

become a
“terrorist”

a guide for a practical and
political response to being
designated
You are here because the ruling class
considers you a threat to its existence - what
an honor, truly. If you as an individual or
your organization is being listed or
threatened with listing, you are in good
company, and you are not alone

Like the Zionist entity fears the
Palestinian resistance, so do
the imperialist powers fear the
Palestinian diaspora and their
supporters that have been
rising up again and again,
especially since the start of
operation Al-Agsa Flood and

the Zionist genocide. They

fear a strong, popular
movement that threatens their
economic and political
interests in Palestine and the
region

Repression is a sign of strength
for the Palestinian movement
and the international solidarity
movement. This movement has
mobilized the largest
demonstrations for Palestine in
history, has cost Israeli and
Zionist companies billions of
dollars in losses, it has united
milions of people from across
the world as well as virtually al
social movements in every
country for the Palestinian
liberation struggle.

combat isolation

Terrorist designations are an attempt
to isolate the international popular
cradle from the Palestinian resistance
and the victories of our prisoners,
movement. Let us be clear, these
“designations” are acts of genocide,
plain and simple. The latest round of
designation from the US treasury
department makes this clear - all of
these designations are clearly
intended to advance the US-Zionist
genocidal starvation policy currently
being carried out against the
Palestinian people as a whole, and
particularly in Gaza.

‘These attacks aim to cut off the
independent Arab, Palestinian, Islamic
and international aid and lifelines of
support for Palestinians under siege
and genocide, and seek to subjugate
the Palestinian people to the
conditional “aid"” provided by the
imperialist powers and complicit
institutions.

In the face of criminalization, itis
crucial to keep your comrades close,
maintain and sustain your organizing
relationships, and do not disappear.
Do not do the state’s work of
retreating and isolating yourself.
Collectivize risk by moving as one
united front in the face of repression.

The response to “terrorist”
designations of any kind
cannot be to isolate the
designated organizations,
warn movement
organizations against
“coordinating” with them or
refuse to speak about them.

,.
v

we Keep us safe

At the end of the day, the most
pressing security issues any
organization and movement faces
is the wrong people having access
to sensitve decisions and
information. The imperialist state
or zionist movement doesn't need
to use a hacking tool like Pegasus if
there is someone undesirable
taking screenshots of messaging
threads or recording meetings.

Remaining true to our politics is one
of our best protections. No matter
the level of risk currently involved

or the clandestinity of your
particular operation, if your
collective is ironing out and

regularly attending to areas where
your political line might be lacking
or you may not all be on the same
page, then in the worst case you
can more easily be aware of those
around you who may be operating
in bad faith or who can be
disruptive i other ways (eg
government infilrator).

In the best and most typical
case, it will help strengthen your
political line and increase
genuine harmony in your group.

The “better’ and more
developed your politics, the
harder it is for infiltrators to
either skew the direction your
org takes, sow discord, or
remain under cover.

Good politics are not something
an infiltrator can easily mimic
fluently, without ~ something
seeming distinctly off. they must
be cultivated with time, care,
and collective labor.

‘WE DO NOT (g7
REPRESSION MAKE ys
WATER Down ouR
DEMANDS, TACTICS, R
POLITICAL LINES ouT oF
FEAR THAT THE mEpia
OR GOVERNMENT i
TARGET US - THEY wiLL
DO THIS REGARDLESS*
wedefy wedefend
DON'T PANIC, DON'T DISAPPEAR

For many decades the imperial core and its colonial
outposts like *Israel have used terrorist lists and
designations to criminalize liberation movements.

Because you or your organization have been deemed a
“terrorist' by an imperialist entity does not mean you
have done something wrong, in fact, we must remember
that to be attacked by the enemy is not a bad thing, but
agood thing. This work must continue regardiess of the
name or organization.

The very framework of *terrorism® and being considered
aterrorist* is white supremagcist logic that exists to justify
settler-colonial and imperialist projects like that of the
Zionist project.

We must demand the abolition of the so-called terrorist
listinstead of a supposed reclamation of the use of the
term "terrorism’ (such as in claiming "Israel” is the Real
terrorist) which ultimately does not serve us. Rather, we
should be specific and accurate in naming our enemies.
as Ibrahim Traoré has recently reminded us, it's not
terrorism, it's imperialism".
we defy, we defend

We know these designations are an attack on the
Palestinian liberation movement as well as the right of
Palestinians in exile and diaspora to organize.

Many Western countries and imperialist-backed
governments — see, for example, the Duterte regime in the
Philippines new Anti-Terror Bill, used against activists,
peoples’ rights workers and revolutionary movements —
have based their anti-terrorism legislation in many
aspects on the U.S. list of “foreign terrorist organizations.”

The first iteration of today’s list of “foreign terrorist
organizations” was created by the United States
government specifically to attack organizations that
aimed to “disrupt the Middle East Peace Process” — that s,
the Palestinian and Arab resistance that rejected the
attempt to liquidate the Palestinian struggle through the
Oslo process. This political framework — the use of
“terrorist” designations to punish noncompliant
Palestinians and those who refuse to relinquish their rights
or their vision for liberation — continues to define the use
of "terrorist” listing against Palestinians today. The
“terrorist” label is used to impose conditions of defeat or
surrender on the Palestinian people, while those that
reject such conditions and continue to resist are
criminalized.
the people, united

Forming an arrest plan for you and your comrades is
good way to ensure that your personal and political needs
are metin the case of political incarceration. Put together
aPersonal Information Form that answers questions
ranging from what you may need inside (i.e. daily meds) to
the specifics of a defense campaign. Remember, knowing
the “letter of the law” is useful but is not a place from which
your political defense strategy should be formed. If the law
was moral and just, "terrorist” designations would not
happen in the first place.

Despite advice lawyers may provide you, a politic of
innocence and denying our right to resist does not
advance our movement. Any movement or organization
that s fighting for Palestine must stand up first and
foremost alongside the Forces of the Regional Resistance
and strive to do everything we can to live up to the example
they are setting on a daily basis.

‘We know that the primary way to confront these
designations is by intensifying our organizing, action,
mobilization, and resistance to bring down the
structures of colonialism, implement the right to return
for Palestinian refugees, and support the liberation of
Palestinian prisoners and of Palestine, from the
river to the sea.

#remenber, OPSEC is important and mitigates risks,
but does not protect against them entirely

secure make
operating stronger
systems passwords
Google Pixels can install the State actors can use brute
Graphene operating system. This force technology to easily
will make it as difficut as bypass 6 digit passwords.
possible for an adversary to Use an alphanumeric
geo-track your device, intercept passcode for enhanced
messages, or hack it. iPhone security on your devices
users can turn on Lockdown and tum-off biometric
Mode in their settings to protect device access (touch
from cyber attacks including and/or face ID).

state spyware, however, this
significantly limits a lot of user
features. Many PC users can

install Tails operating system on oF THE
their computer. Tails is a free ‘!wz\wflf““‘gfi::tw,mm
and portable operating system pOLICE ISMOTEL vy ROE!
that protects against 70 REPRES' - n\wnmfi“‘
surveillance and censorship A ":‘“E ‘EXTENT DESIRED
and operates using a USB and HOUR, T 0T ALTOGETHER:

Tor network to run. When
removing the USB or shutting \ICTOR SERSE
down the computer, it leaves no

trace on the computer and you

can go back to your usual OS.
backu our
digFi)tgl
accounts

You absolutely cannot rely on the *reasonability* of
your online materials, such as never praising the
Resistance or never posting about figures like
Yahya Sinwar, from social media bans (or of
course, “terrorist” designations)

Create backup Telegram and Meta accounts, and
backup your Youtube channel to Odysee, Rumble,
or Peertube-- upon a ban (or before) you can re-
direct people to these new channels,

Begin this backup process ahead of time

Get your organizational domains outside of the US,
UK or any western state; register it outside of any
country where criminalization is likely. Why? When
you are designated as a terrorist organization,
companies and organizations are prohibited from
providing any services to the listed organization
(usually the consequences for this are large fines)
Transfer your contact lists and other resources to
aligned organizations or coalitions before
designation so that they can continue to be used
To avoid ruling-class censorship we ultimately
must become less and less reliant on the digital
sphere and be more and more creative in our
practices

opemflomlser.wfl\mm

VPNs & internet
browsing

VPNs are virtual private
networks that mask your IP
address from your internet
service provider (ISP) which
protects your online activity
from being tracked. VPNs
that do not log your data
and host multiple devices
are Mullvad and Surfshark

Brave or Tor browser should
be used for enhanced
security when browsing the
internet. Both shield against
tracking, cyber
fingerprinting, and do not
collect your data. Tor also
prevents someone
watching your connection,
like your ISP, from knowing
what websites you visit
When using Tor, all anyone
monitoring your browsing
habits can see is that you
are using Tor as a browser.
Because of Tor's enhanced
security, it runs slower than
abrowser like Brave.

10

Tor + VPN?

A VPN runs through an app
on your device which means
all of your device's web
traffic is encrypted, not just
what you type into your
browser. This includes the Tor
browser when it is being
used. This combination is
referred to as Tor over VPN or
Onion over VPN. If you
connect to a VPN first and
then connect to Tor
afterwards, you will have
successfully done this. Tor
over VPN ensures that
anyone watching cannot
even see that you are using
Tor. This extra layer of
privacy means the browser
will run slower, too.
Launching Tor browser first
and then connecting to a
VPN dfter does not enhance
anonymity.
openational secul‘“‘imm

encrypted
mess3ging

In-person, device-free
conversations are always
best for communicating
sensitive information, but of
course this is not always
possible. Signal, Molly for
Androids, and Element (the
latter functioning similarly
to Discord) are open-source
messaging apps that use

end-to-end encryption.
Atthough apps like
Telegram, Facebook
Messenger, and WhatsApp
all host end-to-end
encryption options for
online communication,

they are closed source
softwares which means
users cannot identify other
possible concerns that
may impact their security.
Meta, Telegram, and other
Big Tech corporations also
have a history of police
cooperation.

the state of your
device matters

The state of your device,
whether it is on or off,
significantly ~ affects an
adversary’s ability to access
it with technology like
Cellebrite or MSAB's XRY.

Before First Unlock (BFU)
mode is likely your phone’s
most secure state. If you are
expecting your device to be
seized, it is best practice to
turn it off to re-encrypt it
Times when this may be
necessary could be before
a direct action, before
going to bed, or before you
cross an international
border. Take a look at this
guide* to see if your device
is vulnerable to Cellebrite
access as it depends on
your phone model, the
operating system, if its
unlocked, and more.

“ttps://disCuss.arapheneos.ora/d/14344-cellebrite-premium:july-2024-

imentation

1
i ——

No online or digital activity is ever truly anonymous or
untraceable, but practicing operational security can help
us evade state intervention, sabotage, surveillance, and
criminalization. This is especially important when our
organizing activities challenge the law-- laws that are
ive, genocidal, and must be challenged in order to
liberation struggles of all kinds.

In our security practices, though, we must be cognizant
about not self-censoring or policing one another's actions.
This benefits the imperialist war machine that has
historically relied on a “divide and conquer’ strategy
through tools like fear-mongering about “outside
agitators”. OPSEC decision-making must be grounded in
our anti-imperialist politics and be goal-oriented. Think
critically about why you are choosing certain practices.
Ask yourself important questions, like: how can I collectivize
the risk I want to take? How does this risk advance our
struggle? De-centralize OPSEC info to empower yourself
and your comrades with knowledge. When we know how to
keep each other safe, we are better prepared to take on
risk. Practicing OPSEC and building a disciplined security
culture allows us to keep going in the face of repression.

Lostly, just because your adversaries know who you are
does not mean you shouldn't have good security practices.
similarly, just because they know who you are does not
mean they will act on it. The less they know the better.

12
Somidoun Network o

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TEPIESSION] 47 there i no shortage o wise" and “smart advice about how you should

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management most ffiienty, and re-labl i srvice o the movement.
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away witl

% Samidoun Network @SamidounPP - 21h et

If we don't rally - for real, even w/ risks - behind those who re targeted,
and especially @Pal action w/ its leadership in direct action materially
resisting the Zionist-imperialist war machine, we encourage the state to do
this MORE. Solet'slearn the lesson this time &act.

13
we
stronger
together

What is important to
remember in the face of
political repression and

counterinsurgency is the
importance of remaining true
to your principles. Despite
attempts to isolate you and
your comrades from the
movement, it is urgent to
continue the work and fill in
the gaps that others refuse to.

Members of Samidoun across
North America continue to
organize in the face of state
counter-terrorism efforts
because we know that risk
and sacrifice is required in
struggle.

We also know that escalation

is required to advance our
struggle,

14

are

and if we retreat now we are
ultimately doing the state's
bidding in this post-
designation era.

We must find ways to be
creative and continue
organizing for Palestinian
liberation, from the river to

the sea. As "terrorist"
designations become the
norm, our rejection and
refusal of these tools of
genocide must also be
normalized.

If you or your organization

have become designated

rrorists” or are facing
related terror charges,
contact Samidoun at

samidoun@samidoun.net. We
are stronger together.
Further reading

« Theirs and Ours: Terrorism's “Inclusivity”
Argument by Musa D. Springer

« Not Liking Someone Doesn’t Mean They're a
Cop: On Bad-jacketing

« Samidoun: Sanctions on Addameer and five
Palestinian charities are acts of genocide by
U.S. imperialism

« Reflections On Victor Serge’s "What Everyone
Should Know About State Repression by James
Yaki Sayles

« The War Before, by Safiya Bukhari [Chapters 4
& 5]

« IBON: A Quick Guide for Human Rights
Defenders

« War at Home: Covert Action Against U.S.
Activists and What We Can Do About It by

Brian Glick

« Unityoffields.net

15
L. me/samidoun_network