Prominent Palestinian-British journalist and activist Zaher Birawi has expressed profound shock and indignation after being placed on the United States Treasury Department’s sanctions list. The designation, announced last week by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targets Mr. Birawi alongside The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PPCA), an organisation he helped found. U.S. authorities have alleged ties to Hamas under Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) Regulations—an accusation that Mr. Birawi has categorically and forcefully denied.
Born in the West Bank in 1961, Mr. Birawi moved to the United Kingdom in the 1990s after completing his studies. Over the decades, he has established himself as a familiar figure within British-Arab media and civil society circles. He has worked extensively as a television journalist, commentator, and media figure, while also holding significant leadership roles within the EuroPal Forum. Furthermore, he is widely recognized as a founding member of the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international grassroots movement dedicated to challenging the naval blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.
In a comprehensive press statement issued today, Mr. Birawi rejected the U.S. executive action in the strongest possible terms, pointing to what he described as a severe lack of procedural fairness and factual accuracy.
“I categorically reject this designation and believe it is based on inaccurate information and lacks a sound legal foundation,” Mr. 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.”
The veteran activist emphasized the unilateral nature of the measure, underscoring that it stems entirely from United States domestic law rather than an international judicial process. He noted that the designation does not carry the weight of a judicial finding, nor was it handed down by any competent court of law. Crucially, the sanctions are not anchored in any United Nations Security Council resolution and create no binding legal obligations outside of the U.S. legal framework. Consequently, he stressed, the executive order should not be misinterpreted as a determination of criminal liability or legal wrongdoing under British, European, or broader international law.
To address the designation, Mr. Birawi revealed that he has already initiated consultations with a specialized legal team. His representatives are actively determining the appropriate legal avenues to formally challenge the decision, request a thorough administrative review and reconsideration, and ultimately petition for the removal of his name from the sanctions database in accordance with established regulatory procedures.
Drawing on his past experiences, Mr. Birawi noted that this is not the first time he has had to navigate and dismantle erroneous allegations regarding his professional and civic activities. He recalled that he had previously faced similar claims, which were rigorously addressed through formal legal and compliance channels. Those prior allegations were ultimately dismissed, leading to the complete removal of his name from international compliance databases, including World-Check, after authorities verified that incorrect information had been recorded.
“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,” Mr. 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 aspects of the U.S. Treasury’s rationale, Mr. Birawi clarified the precise nature of his relationship with The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PPCA). He acknowledged that he participated in the organization’s founding conference and was subsequently elected to its General Secretariat during its inaugural term, which spanned from 2017 to 2021. However, he emphasized that he has not held any operational, administrative, or leadership role within the conference since that initial term concluded.
Despite the challenges posed by the designation, Mr. Birawi expressed confidence that an objective, transparent, and independent review of the facts will ultimately demonstrate that the sanctions are entirely unwarranted. He concluded by affirming his determination to exhaust all available legal avenues to correct the administrative error, protect his professional reputation, and safeguard his fundamental rights.