Ofir Gendelman has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Bureau Arabic-language spokesman for public diplomacy.  National Information Directorate head Nir Chefetz said that, “This is an important and unique position, that has been filled on instruction from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in order to deal with recent media developments in the Arab world and especially in light of global developments regarding Arabic-language television stations.”

The decision to appoint a public diplomacy spokesman for the Arabic media was made in order to strengthen Israel’s public diplomacy efforts with Arabic-speaking communities, represent Israel’s positions directly and increase the exposure of these communities to Israeli content and initiatives on various diplomatic, security, economic, social and cultural issues.  Gendelman will also coordinate between the Government’s various Arabic public diplomacy elements, in the framework of the Prime Minister’s Office National Information Directorate.  It should be recalled that State Comptroller Micha Lindenstruass noted the importance of the issue in a recent report.

Ofir Gendelman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern history and international relations from Hebrew University, and master’s degrees in security studies from Tel Aviv University, and business administration from Bar-Ilan University, respectively.  A diplomat who graduated from the Foreign Ministry’s cadet course, Gendelman has served in the Foreign Ministry since 1998 and twice served as its Arabic media spokesman.  He recently served as the first director-general of the Israel-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

(PM’s Media Advisor)