Yaron Deckel is considered one of Israel’s top political reporters and commentators. He has covered the trials and tribulations of Israeli politics since 1985, including five general election campaigns. Since September of 2002, Mr. Deckel has been reporting from Washington, as IBA’s Bureau Chief, covering the 2004 presidential campaign, the Shuttle Columbia disaster, US political events related to the Iraq war. Mr. Deckel was recently invited to interview President Bush in his Texas ranch — an exclusive interview that was the first ever granted to an Israeli journalist.

Mr. Deckel has also served as guest expert on Israeli on NPR and other radio and television networks. He has briefed US administration officials, congressmen, ambassadorial staff at the US Embassy in Israel, US and European Policymakers and business people about the state of Israeli politics. Mr. Deckel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, and a Masters degree in Political Science from BarIlan University. His Masters degree focused on the intersection of politics and the media in Israel.