Ari Meyer has been a computer programmer for over 30 years, but received his degree in Middle Eastern Studies from UC Berkeley, 1994. His father’s family are Baghdadi Jews who settled in India and Singapore in the late 19th century, while his mother’s family are Ashkenazi with many generations in America, but were basically non-practicing.

He became deeply interested in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process while at Berkeley, which motivated him to study the religious doctrines of Islam and the history of non-Muslims living under Islamic rule. Finding that Islamic ideology and history didn’t at all align with he was being taught (reading from the likes of John Esposito), Ari found that one could not express the truth openly at “progressive” Berkeley. Ari has since been active in groups like JStreet and Combatants for Peace, and has been frustrated by the lack of honest discussions regarding the role religious doctrine plays in the various conflicts.

Ari is deeply honored to have been granted the opportunity to join the Clarity Coalition, and is hopeful to help plot a path forward to a better future.