Yariv Ovadia, Consul for Communications and Public Affairs

Yariv Ovadia holds the position of Consul for Communications and Public Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. In this capacity he directs public, media and academic affairs for the State of Israel in the Southwestern United States. Mr. Ovadia brings a unique perspective to his post, due to his expertise in Islamic Studies and a fluency in Arabic. He is a frequent guest on both local and national radio and television shows and is a dynamic and engaging public speaker.

Immediately prior to his arrival in Los Angeles, Mr. Ovadia served as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Israel in New Delhi, India. As part of his responsibilities, Mr. Ovadia headed the Department of Cultural and Scientific Affairs. Joining the diplomatic corps in 1999, Mr. Ovadia worked in the training division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which afforded him the opportunity to visit Kenya and Jordan.

Prior to joining the diplomatic corps, Mr. Ovadia worked as a researcher on the Middle East in the Center for Political Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Ovadia was born in Jerusalem. Following his service in the Israeli Defense Forces, he studied Islam, Middle East Studies, and Sociology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Consul Ovadia is married to Daphna, and they have two daughters.