In this episode, we discuss the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) with the veteran of this podcast Amira Jarmakani, who is the ICSZ collective member and Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality studies at San Diego State University. NCRI is an important case study because by presenting itself as a research institute interested in studying false and hateful narratives online, NCRI often flies under the radar as a Zionist organization. But in this conversation, Amira Jarmakani debunks NCRI’s claims that it’s a small, neutral, not-for-profit institution and clarifies that it is actually an online surveillance organization, closely tied with major US policy-making institutions, and a purveyor of the war on terror. We look at the work of NCRI and specifically the reports they produce that demonize leftist organizing, conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism, attack BDS, and label Palestine solidarity organizing as terrorism.

Also mentioned in this episode: Anti-Defamation League (ADL), AMCHA Initiative, Hetz, Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), Charles Koch Foundation (CKF)

Resources:

Cox, Joseph. “Inside ICE’s Database for Finding ‘Derogatory’ Online Speech.” 404 Media. October 24, 2023.

Poulson, Jack. “The Australian ad-tech firm secretly fueling 'psychological warfare' against U.S. university students.” All Source Intelligence substack. June 10, 2024.

NCRI received $335,000 from Israel on Campus Coalition in 2021 “for a grant to build social media analysis.

ICE contracted Giant Oak from 2014-2022 to flag people for deportation, according to AFSC.

On FARA: Fang, Lee and Jack Poulson. “Leaked Israeli Docs Reveal Effort to Evade Foreign Agent Lobbying Law.” August 17, 2024.

ISGAP received 80% of its annual revenue from the Israeli government (Aiden Pink/ The Forward)

Joel Finkelstein's presentation to DHS,

The FBI identified SNA as a valuable tool for law enforcement as early as 2013.

Stop LAPD Spying, "The Algorithmic Ecology"

Stop LAPD Spying, "Before the Bullet Hits the Body"

Hate with Dylan Rodriguez

Terror with Arun Kundnani