Israeli Army names Major Ella Waweya as Arabic military spokesperson, boosting Muslim women’s representation
Tel Aviv, Israel – Web Desk: In a historic first, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has appointed Major Ella Waweya, a Muslim Arab officer, as the army’s new Arabic spokesperson. Waweya, 36, from Qalansawe, will succeed Colonel Avichai Adrai, who served in this role for 20 years.
A volunteer in the IDF since 2013, Waweya has risen through the ranks to become one of the most prominent Muslim women officers in Israel. She will be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and serve as the face of the IDF for Arabic communications.
Her appointment highlights the growing participation of Arab citizens and Muslim women in the Israeli army, reflecting increased representation in military leadership roles. Waweya is also active on social media, with nearly 500,000 followers on TikTok and 200,000 on X, engaging with the public on defense matters.
This milestone marks a significant shift in the IDF’s efforts to diversify its ranks while strengthening ties with the Arab community in Israel, which comprises around 20% of the country’s population.
