Belgium has revoked the refugee status of Mohammed Khatib, the European coordinator of the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun. The decision, confirmed by Belgian officials this week, comes amid rising concerns over the group’s activities and calls for its outright ban.
Khatib, a Palestinian national who has lived in Belgium since 2010 and was granted asylum in 2015, is officially registered by Belgian security services as a “hate preacher.” Authorities cite his open support for Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—both designated terrorist organizations in the European Union.
The refugee status revocation followed a request last year by then–Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole De Moor. On Thursday, Samidoun issued a statement confirming the decision and announcing Khatib’s intention to appeal before Belgium’s Council for Asylum and Immigration Proceedings. The group denounced the move as part of what it called “a racist campaign targeting Palestinians.”
Khatib has argued he is being singled out for his political beliefs, including his support for Palestinian prisoners and for resistance against Israel. Samidoun insists he has the right to international protection as a stateless Palestinian refugee born in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bart De Wever is pushing for legislation to ban Samidoun altogether, along with other groups he describes as extremist, including the Muslim Brotherhood. The proposed law would allow Belgium to dissolve organizations deemed a threat to national security or the foundations of democracy.
In remarks to parliament, De Wever said groups like Samidoun “glorify terrorist organizations and their atrocities” while stopping short of explicit incitement to violence—using freedoms of expression, he argued, to spread dangerous ideologies.
Founded in 2012 by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Samidoun has branches across Europe. In Belgium, its reputation drew sharp condemnation earlier this summer when it staged a controversial reenactment of the October 7 Hamas attacks during its “Resistance Festival” in Brussels. Activists in military garb pointed mock weapons at actors playing dead civilians, while the crowd cheered.
Khatib, however, maintains the government’s actions are politically motivated. In July, he told Belgian media that officials were “serving Israeli interests rather than those of the Belgian people.” Samidoun has vowed to take its fight to the Constitutional Court, the streets, and civil society in protest of both the revocation and the proposed ban.
As of now, the Justice Ministry has set no timeline for reviewing Khatib’s appeal. The Belgian government insists the measures are necessary to protect national security and democratic values.
We will continue to follow the latest developments on this story and other top headlines.
Reporting by Lisa Lomami.
