Who is Avi Melamed?

With a rich history as a former Israeli Intelligence Official and Senior Advisor on Arab Affairs, Avi Melamed is uniquely positioned at the intersection of intelligence, diplomacy, and education. Fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, his analysis is deeply rooted in his firsthand experiences and intimate knowledge of the Arab and Muslim worlds, enabling him to navigate and explain the complexities of the Middle East with unmatched clarity. Avi has authored three books on the region, produced “The Seam Line,” a five-part docuseries exploring the many layers of the conflict in and over Jerusalem, and the soon-to-be-released Inside The Middle East | The Primer, an educational film featuring voices from the Arab and Muslim world often absent in Western discourse. He is a frequent commentator on international media platforms such as ABC, Al-Arabiya, AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, the Financial Times, FOX, the Guardian, Newsweek, The Hill, Reuters, Sky News, Wall Street Journal and more. He is a permanent contributor to USA Today. To keep up with Avi’s analysis, please visit the ITME HUB.



What is Unique about Avi Melamed as a Speaker?

Avi’s approach is not about advocacy; it’s about education. In the crowded landscape of Israeli speakers, Avi stands apart not merely for his experience and expertise but for his transformative approach. His philosophy is that in order to understand Israel, you must understand the Middle East. His strategy of offering apolitical, non-partisan Middle East education is rooted in his belief that education is not about telling people what to think but rather teaching people how to think.



What is the Impact?

By providing a contextualized understanding of the region and introducing perspectives often absent in Western discourse that transcends typical narratives, Avi bridges ideological divides and empowers diverse audiences – Jews and non-Jews, from high school to Capitol Hill - to understand the region’s complexities and engage in informed discussions and constructive dialogue. For people who support Israel, Avi’s approach empowers them to do so from a place of knowledge and understanding, rather than mere obligation. For those critical of Israel, his approach fosters a more receptive attitude towards Israel’s policies and challenges, allowing them to engage without compromising their moral compass and core values.