The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center was established in 2001 as a branch of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center. Known by its Hebrew acronym Malam, the NGO is dedicated to the memory of members of Israel’s intelligence community who fell in the line of duty.
The Malam puts out weekly reports on a number of subjects, including Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Hizbullah, and Iran as well as anti-Jewish and anti-Israel incitement and propaganda.
The head of the Malam is former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevi.
Dr. Reuven Erlich, a former colonel in Military Intelligence who served in a number of positions in the MI’s Research Directorate, heads the think tank's Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. Erlich also served as the deputy coordinator of government activities in Lebanon during the 1980s.
In addition to Erlich, the Malam has another seven researchers, mostly former MI officers, who compile the information used to write the weekly reports which can be found at www.intelligence.org.il.
“We started writing reports in 2001 but got a real boost during
Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, based on the documents that were
discovered there by the IDF,” Erlich said, noting that due to Malam’s
work and the background of its researchers, it has been able to
cultivate an intimate work relationship with MI and the Shin Bet
(Israel Security Agency), which often cooperate with the Malam’s
research.
Following the publication of the Goldstone Report in September, Erlich
and his staff decided to compile a report that would respond to the
accusations leveled against Israel but particularly, what he called
“the distorted presentation of Hamas” in the report.