Previously he served as Head of Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consul General of Israel in San Francisco, Director of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, Deputy Director for Palestinian Affairs in the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as World Jewish Affairs Adviser to the President of Israel. Akiva is a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and holds an MA degree from Hebrew University in Jewish political thought and a BA from Columbia University in general philosophy. He has written and lectured on Jewish values in the foreign policy of Israel and on ethical considerations in international relations. He served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces and as an infantry captain in the IDF reserves. He is interested in running, mountain biking and ascending high places. Akiva is married to Dr. Naomi Tor, a mediator and community social worker. Their home town is Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, and they have four children.