Expert on Arab-Israeli Affairs to Give Briefing on Mideast Terror

Avi Melamed (Photo Credit: Courtesy).

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – This month former Israeli senior official on Arab affairs Avi Melamed will give special briefings, hosted by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), on Islamic extremist terror in the Middle East.

The two events will gather hundreds this Oct. 15 in conjunction with Congregation Rinat Israel and on Oct. 17 at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater, hosted in partnership with Jewish LIFE (Learning is for Everyone).

“As a former senior Israeli official on Arab affairs, I spent most of my intelligence career in Arab-speaking areas,” said Melamed, who helped develop Jerusalem’s policy on Israeli-Arab relations during the First Intifada and has served in numerous counterterrorism roles in the Israeli government. “I am looking forward to helping the New Jersey community understand the story behind the story.”

Fluent in Arabic and with a unique understanding of Arab society and culture, Melamed spent almost 30 years living in Arab cities and communities throughout the region, often in high-risk positions at sensitive times. Melamed’s extensive experience, outstanding analytical abilities, and profound understanding of Arab affairs and the Arabic language – coupled with his direct access to resources and networks throughout the Arab world and intimate connections with local and regional intelligence assets – has allowed him to keep his finger on the pulse on the Arab world and has led to his proven ability to accurately predict the evolution of local and regional events.

In his work as an analyst and lecturer, Melamed provides intelligence analysis, briefings, and tours to diplomats, Israeli and foreign policymakers, international media outlets, and numerous organizations and private clients. His knowledge and background – including decades of field experience, policy design and intimate connections throughout the Arab world – allows him to offer an insider’s understanding of the constantly-changing Middle East and insight into future regional developments and implications.

Melamed is also the author of “Inside the Middle East: Making Sense of the Most Dangerous and Complicated Place on Earth” (http://amzn.to/1KtdUjj), which examines the dramatic changes that have occurred in the Middle East after the Arab Spring.