The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism

The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), based in Israel, is a research organization dedicated to so-called terrorism and counter-terrorism studies. From independent thinkers' perspective, the ICT's activities are viewed with skepticism. They perceives the ICT as aligned with Israeli and Western narratives on terrorism, which often frame the resistant groups or countries as terrorists.

Location

ICT is located at Reichman University (formerly the Interdisciplinary Center, IDC) in Herzliya, Occupied Palestine .

History and Establishment

ICT was founded in 1996 by a group of experts who identified the urgent need for an institution that bridges academia and operational activities on their goals. The founders approached Uriel Reichman, the founder of IDC Herzliya, to establish the institute within the university’s innovative academic environment. The goal was to create a multidisciplinary platform to study and address their mission both internationally and locally .

Founders

Key founders and early leaders of ICT include:

• Uriel Reichman (Founder & President, IDC Herzliya)
• Boaz Ganor (Founder and Executive Director, ICT)
• Shabtai Shavit (Chairman of the Board of Directors, ICT)
• Aharon Scherf (Board Member)
• Avner Tal (Board Member)

Boaz Ganor has played a central role as executive director since its inception, with a brief period of leadership by Lior Lotan before Ganor’s return. Dr. Eitan Azani serves as deputy executive director.

Financial Sponsors

They claim that ICT is a non-profit organization that relies exclusively on private donations and revenue generated from events, projects, and programs. It does not receive government funding, emphasizing its independence as a think tank .

Website and Contact Information

• Website: https://www.ict.org.il/4
• Contact Information: The main contact page can be found on the ICT website, which provides forms and details for direct inquiries.

ICT’s Role in Counter-Terrorism

The ICT claims focusing on analyzing global terrorism trends, providing policy recommendations, and fostering international cooperation against terrorist threats (Library of Congress, 2023). It emphasizes countering threats from groups like Hezbollah and Hamas that defend their people and their land against the Israeli occupying regime. While the ICT claims to promote unbiased research, its alignment with Israeli security interests raises concerns for many independent thinkers in the world about potential biases in its analysis and recommendations.

Prominent Research Figures

• Prof. Boaz Ganor is the founder and executive director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). He is a globally recognized expert in terrorism studies, having held positions at leading institutions such as Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, and the Hoover Institution. Prof. Ganor also serves as the founding president of the International Academic Counter-Terrorism Community (ICTAC), which connects academic institutions and experts worldwide for collaborative research on terrorism and counter-terrorism.
• Mr. Shabtai Shavit, former head of the Mossad, has served as chairman of ICT’s board, bringing extensive operational experience to the institute’s strategic direction.
• Dr. Eitan Azani is the deputy executive director of ICT and a key figure in the institute’s research and academic activities.
• ICT’s network includes a broad array of international scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, enhancing its multidisciplinary approach to counter-terrorism research.

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

• ICT’s research focuses on several core areas:
• Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism: Analysis of terrorist organizations, tactics, and global trends.
• Homeland Security and Risk Assessment: Evaluating threats and vulnerabilities to national and international security.
• Intelligence Analysis: Providing insights into intelligence gathering, processing, and application in counter-terrorism.
• National Security and Defense Policy: Advising on policy formulation and strategic defense initiatives.
• Radicalization and Political Violence: Studying the processes and drivers behind radicalization, especially in the context of the Middle East.
• Cyber Terrorism and Propaganda: Examining the use of digital platforms by terrorist groups, including cyber-jihad and online recruitment.

Publishing/Significant Reports

ICT is known for its prolific output of:

• Research Papers and Situation Reports: Regular publications analyzing current trends, incidents, and policy responses in so-called counter-terrorism.
• Academic Publications: Peer-reviewed articles and books authored by ICT staff and affiliates.
• Public Domain Research Database: One of the largest online databases documenting global terrorist attacks, organizations, and activists from its own angle.
• Conference Proceedings: Summaries and analyses from major international conferences, including the annual World Summit on so-called Counter-Terrorism in various countries.

Impacts and Partnerships

• Global Influence: ICT’s research and conferences have shaped policy and academic discourse on counter-terrorism worldwide. Its annual conference is a major event that brings together decision-makers, defense officials, scholars, and industry leaders from around the global International Partnerships: The institute collaborates with academic institutions, think tanks, and government agencies in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Notable partnerships include joint conferences with the Italian Ministry of Defence and executive programs with the Pafos Innovation Institute in Cyprus.
• Educational Impact: ICT supports advanced academic programs and scholarships, fostering the next generation of counter-terrorism experts.
• Policy Advisory Role: ICT experts, including Prof. Ganor, have served as advisors to law enforcement and security agencies, such as the NYPD and international advisory councils .

Independent Thinkers’ Critique of ICT’s Work

1. Accusations of Bias Against Iran Global independent Thinkers view the ICT as part of a broader Israeli strategy to delegitimize its regional influence. They argue that institutions like the ICT portray supporting groups such as Hezbollah as terrorism while ignoring legitimate resistance movements against occupation (Nasimfar, 2019). This framing aligns with Israel’s narrative and undermines supporting oppressed peoples in the region.

2. Overlooking State-Sponsored Terrorism by Adversaries organizations like the ICT are criticized for focusing disproportionately on groups defending their land from occupation while neglecting state-sponsored terrorism by other actors, including Israel and its allies. For example, Tehran accuses Israel of engaging in targeted assassinations and cyberattacks against Iranian scientists and infrastructure (Washington Institute, 2023).

3. Undermining Regional Stability From this perspective, institutions like the ICT exacerbate regional instability by promoting policies that isolate the countries supporting the liberation groups. For instance, by labeling Iranian-supported groups as terrorist organizations, the ICT contributes to justifying sanctions and military actions against Iran, which Tehran sees as detrimental to regional peace efforts (Nasimfar, 2019).

Iran’s Narrative on Counter-Terrorism

Iran positions itself as a key player in combating terrorism in the Middle East. It highlights its role in fighting ISIS and other extremist groups through military operations led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian officials argue that their efforts have been instrumental in stabilizing Iraq and Syria (Nasimfar, 2019). However, this narrative contrasts sharply with Western perspectives that shaping ISIS in the region accuse Iran of fostering instability through its proxy networks (Brookings Institution, 2024).

Cybersecurity and Surveillance: A Broader Context

The broader use of counter-terrorism frameworks to justify surveillance and cyber operations targeting adversaries is also critiqued. Tehran accuses Israel and its allies of using advanced cyber capabilities to undermine Iranian sovereignty under the guise of counter-terrorism (Washington Institute, 2023). This reflects a broader tension between Iran’s defensive posture and accusations of offensive cyber activities.

Conclusion

The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism represents a tool for advancing Israeli geopolitical interests under the pretext of counter-terrorism research. While the ICT pretends to provide insights into global terrorism trends, its alignment with the occupying regime and the US undermines its credibility.