# 112: New Account Who Dis? with Michael Schirtzer [UNLOCKED] Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=052bRJWFbLQ Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/052bRJWFbLQ --- ## Quick Overview Michael Schirtzer's Instagram account was disappeared after being flagged by Jordana Cutler, Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, who he asserts actively censors pro-Palestinian content as part of an information war. Schirtzer's deplatforming occurred shortly after a stand-up comedy clip of his, which triggered Israelis to walk out, went viral and was monetized, making him feel honored that the app indicated he had too much influence. **Key Points:** - Michael Schirtzer's Instagram account was disappeared by Jordana Cutler, Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, whom he identifies as a former Israeli government official directly connected to Netanyahu. - Schirtzer's deplatforming occurred after a stand-up comedy clip of his, where Israelis walked out due to his jokes, went viral and was monetized on TikTok, earning $700 that he will send to Gaza. - Jordana Cutler stated her role is to ensure "the voices of Israelis and the Jewish community are heard" and that Meta's policies protect "Israelis and Jews," including specific allowances for their hateful conduct. - Meta updated its policies to recognize that "the term Zionist can be used as a proxy for Jews and Israelis," which Schirtzer and the hosts argue conflates Zionism with Judaism to justify censorship. - Meta's own internal audit found that Facebook discriminates against Palestinians, violates their rights, and coordinates directly with the Israeli government, leading to arrests for incitement. - Cutler publicly declared, "I am living out the Zionist dream," describing her role as controlling what Jews in the diaspora can say online from Israel, which the hosts equate to a "Death Star" operation. - The censorship creates a "chilling effect," with Schirtzer noting a friend on a visa feared texting him due to concerns about being kicked out of the country, highlighting the real-world impact of digital surveillance. **Context:** The podcast "Bad Hazbara" features an interview with Michael Schirtzer, a Jewish anti-Zionist activist, stand-up comedian, and co-host of "The Palestine Pod." The discussion centers on the increasing censorship of pro-Palestinian voices on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, and the alleged role of Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, Jordana Cutler, in these deplatforming efforts. The hosts and Schirtzer frame these actions within the context of an ongoing "information war" regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ## Detailed Analysis The Bad Hazbara podcast hosts Matt Lee and Daniel Mate interview Michael Schirtzer, co-host of The Palestine Pod and a Jewish anti-Zionist comedian, about his recent deplatforming from Instagram. Schirtzer reveals his account was flagged and disappeared by Jordana Cutler, Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief and a former Israeli government official, whom he describes as a "Jew hunter" and a "critical part of the Holocaust infrastructure" for monitoring content. He explains that his account was removed without warning after a stand-up comedy clip, where Israelis walked out due to his jokes about Israel, went viral and earned him $700 for Gaza. The discussion highlights Meta's policy changes, including designating "Zionist" as a proxy for "Jews and Israelis" in hate speech policies, which the hosts and Schirtzer argue conflates Zionism with Judaism and serves Zionist goals. They cite Meta's internal audit finding discrimination against Palestinians and direct coordination with the Israeli government, leading to arrests for incitement. Cutler's public statements, including her claim of "living out the Zionist dream" by controlling online discourse from Israel, are critically analyzed as demonstrating a lack of awareness and an imperial ambition to censor content that challenges the Zionist narrative. The hosts and Schirtzer emphasize that this censorship creates a chilling effect, with people fearing repercussions for expressing solidarity with Palestinians, and they urge listeners to support organizations like Palestine Action and The Samir Project, which provide mutual aid in Gaza. ### Podcast Introduction & Context - Hosts Matt Lee and Daniel Mate welcome Michael Schirtzer to Bad Hazbara, discussing the show's premium content and thanking producer Adam Leaven - Mercy Corps is highlighted as a sponsor, supporting Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza - The upcoming Vienna anti-Zionist conference is mentioned as an important event for those in Europe. ### Michael Schirtzer's Instagram Deplatforming - Schirtzer's Instagram account was disappeared, which he attributes to being flagged by Jordana Cutler, Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief - He notes the deplatforming occurred after a stand-up comedy clip, where Israelis walked out due to his jokes, went viral and was monetized, earning $700 for Gaza - Schirtzer views the deplatforming as an "honor" and a sign of his influence in the "information war" for Palestine. ### Jordana Cutler's Role and Meta's Policies - Jordana Cutler, a former Israeli government official, is described as Meta's Israel and Jewish diaspora policy chief, tasked with censoring content - Cutler's statements reveal Meta's focus on combating "illegal and high severity violations like terrorism" and her pride in representing Meta to Jewish communities worldwide - Meta updated its policies to recognize "Zionist" as a proxy for "Jews and Israelis," which critics argue conflates the terms and serves to censor anti-Zionist voices. ### Censorship and Information Warfare - Meta's internal audit found that Facebook discriminates against Palestinians, violates their rights, and coordinates directly with the Israeli government, leading to arrests - The hosts and Schirtzer criticize the lack of awareness in statements by figures like Norm Coleman, chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, who said "Jews are the masters of the universe" at the same event Cutler spoke at - The discussion highlights the "chilling effect" of censorship, with individuals fearing professional or personal repercussions for expressing pro-Palestinian views. ### Calls to Action and Resistance - Listeners are encouraged to support Palestine Action, which engages in direct action against weapons manufacturers, and to Google the "Filton 18" political prisoners - The Samir Project is recommended for its mutual aid distribution of food and water in Gaza - Schirtzer asserts that the increased funding for "Hasbara" (propaganda) indicates the success of pro-Palestinian efforts in the information war, as Zionists are "losing intellectual ground."