Zaher Birawi, a well-known Palestinian-British journalist, media figure, and political activist, has expressed deep shock and strong defiance following the decision by the United States Treasury Department to place him on its official sanctions list. The move has drawn immediate pushback from Birawi, who has firmly rejected the allegations tying him to militant groups and announced plans to challenge the executive decision through formal legal channels.
Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it had officially designated Birawi alongside The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PPCA), an organization he helped found. According to the U.S. regulatory bodies, the sanctions were implemented under Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) Regulations due to alleged associations with Hamas. Birawi, who has lived in the United Kingdom since the 1990s after studying in the country following his birth in the West Bank in 1961, has categorically denied these claims.
Throughout his decades in the UK, Birawi has built a prominent profile as a television journalist, commentator, and community figure, having previously held leadership roles within the EuroPal Forum. He is also recognized internationally as a founding member of the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an organization dedicated to challenging naval blockades and delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip—efforts that have frequently drawn high-profile international participation, including notable environmental and political activists.
In an official press statement released today, Birawi addressed the sudden U.S. Treasury designation, detailing his complete astonishment and lack of prior warning from American authorities.
"I categorically reject this designation and believe it is based on inaccurate information and lacks a sound legal foundation," Birawi stated. "I would also like to state clearly that, prior to the issuance of this decision, I was not contacted by any competent US authority, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of inquiry, verification, or to provide clarifications or supporting documents. This deprived me of the opportunity to exercise my fundamental right to respond and to correct any incorrect information."
Emphasizing the jurisdictional limits and administrative nature of the measure, Birawi’s statement pointed out that the designation does not stem from a judicial proceeding.
"It is important to note that this designation does not constitute a judicial finding, was not issued by any competent court, and represents a unilateral executive measure taken under U.S. domestic law," the statement continued. "It is not based on any United Nations resolution and does not create binding legal obligations outside the U.S. legal framework. It should not be understood as a finding of criminal liability or wrongdoing under UK or international law."
In response to the U.S. sanctions, Birawi confirmed that he is actively consulting with a specialized legal team to determine the most effective steps to formally challenge the ruling. His legal strategy will involve requesting a formal review and reconsideration of the decision, with the ultimate goal of securing the removal of his name from the sanctions list in accordance with standard administrative procedures.
Drawing on past experiences, Birawi noted that this is not the first time he has had to navigate and dismantle erroneous compliance listings. He pointed out that he has previously faced unfounded allegations that were successfully contested through formal legal and compliance channels, resulting in those allegations being completely dismissed. Notably, his name was previously removed from international compliance databases, including World-Check, after it was definitively established that incorrect data had been logged against his file.
"I reiterate unequivocally that I have never knowingly or intentionally had any operational, financial, or organisational relationship with any entity designated on terrorism lists, nor have I provided material or financial support to any such organisation," Birawi said. "I am a British citizen, a journalist, and a political activist who conducts his work in full compliance with British, European, and international law, and who is committed to peaceful political engagement and the lawful exercise of freedom of expression."
Addressing specific points regarding his organizational background, Birawi clarified the exact nature of his involvement with The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PPCA). While he acknowledged that he participated in its founding conference and was subsequently elected to its General Secretariat during its inaugural term spanning from 2017 to 2021, he emphasized that he has not held any administrative, executive, or advisory role within the conference since that term concluded.
Birawi concluded his statement by expressing absolute confidence that an impartial evaluation of the facts will vindicate him and expose the designation as entirely baseless. He reiterated that he looks forward to correcting the administrative error swiftly to safeguard both his professional reputation and his fundamental legal rights.