His fields of expertise are public international law, and in particular the laws on the use of force and humanitarian law in non-international conflicts, international human rights law and international organizations. Eliav completed his degree in law (LL.B) and Islamic and Middle Eastern studies (magna cum laude) at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He clerked at the Supreme Court of Israel under Acting Justice David Cheshin. He then completed an LL.M (cum laude) at Columbia University, where he also obtained his JSD. Eliav was a recipient of the Norman E. Alexander Scholarship at Columbia, and has counseled governmental bodies and civil society organizations in his areas of expertise.