The Trump administration has designated three international far-left organizations as violent terrorist networks, imposing sanctions that will freeze their U.S. assets and block American citizens from engaging in financial transactions with them. The Treasury Department announced the sanctions Tuesday against Autistici Inventati, an Italy-based nonprofit; Palestine Action, a United Kingdom-based group; and Masar Badil, a Spain-based organization alleged to be a front for the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that "far-left extremists, their fronts and their enablers should be on notice: We will bring the full weight of our economic tools to bear." He added that "political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated."

The sanctions come as part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to combat politically motivated violence. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) led the action.

Targeting Specific Organizations

Palestine Action, founded in 2020, has been known for its campaigns against defense companies it claims are involved in supporting Israel. The group has reportedly engaged in protests, factory occupations, and property destruction. U.K. government officials have stated that Palestine Action caused over $1.3 million in damages to an Elbit Systems facility.

The Treasury Department designated Masar Badil as a front for the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. Samidoun was previously sanctioned by the U.S. and Canada in 2024, with the Treasury Department stating it functions as an international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

According to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital, the State Department reported that Autistici Inventati provided services to overseas terrorist groups and violent far-left agitators. The memo also indicated that Portland-based Rose City Antifa utilized tools and services from Autistici Inventati.

Financial Restrictions and Allegations

The sanctions prohibit these groups from accessing any property or property interests within the U.S. or controlled by U.S. citizens. They also freeze any U.S.-based bank accounts and prevent American individuals and entities from conducting financial transactions with the designated organizations.

In addition to the organizational sanctions, the Treasury Department sanctioned two officials of Masar Badil. Earlier this summer, Spanish authorities arrested Fergie Cox, an heir to the Cox cable TV empire, for extradition to the U.S. The Justice Department is investigating his alleged funding of organizations including Palestine Action.

Expert Warnings on Extremism

Terrorism expert Lara Burns from George Washington University's Program on Extremism warned that extremist networks often use activism, advocacy, and charitable fronts to normalize political violence and gain support for their operations. "These networks are driving concepts that terror activities — that murder — are acts of legitimate resistance that are somehow justified, and that is a scary concept," Burns told Fox News Digital. She added that as these messages spread, they become normalized, underscoring the need for government action when nonprofit organizations promote "pro-terror agendas."

George Washington University researchers noted in a report that Masar Badil was involved in campus unrest following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and has repeatedly sought to mobilize protests against Israel and U.S. involvement.

The PFLP, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997, has a history of international terrorist attacks, including airline hijackings in the 1960s and 1970s that resulted in American casualties. Then-Treasury Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith stated in October 2024 that organizations like Samidoun "masquerade as charitable actors that claim to provide humanitarian support to those in need, yet in reality divert funds for much-needed assistance to support terrorist groups."

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori denounced the sanctions, stating, "As a Palestinian and Iraqi, the fact the country which destroyed both my homelands is calling me a terrorist, is beyond hypocritical." Masar Badil executive committee member Khaled Barakat described U.S. sanctions as part of a broader campaign against Palestinians, accusing the U.S. of collaborating with Israel to suppress pro-Palestinian activism.

Fox News Digital reported that attempts to reach Palestine Action, Autistici Inventati, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Kates, and Ammori for comment did not yield responses.