IDF Appoints First Muslim Woman as Arabic Spokesperson

​TEL AVIV — In a landmark transition for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Major Ella Waweya—widely recognized by her digital handle “Captain Ella”—has been officially named as the military’s next Arabic-language spokesperson. The 36-year-old trailblazer will succeed Colonel Avichay Adraee, who is retiring after two decades as one of the most visible and often controversial figures in Middle Eastern media.

​Upon assuming the role, Waweya will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, making her the highest-ranking Muslim woman in the history of the IDF.

​From Secret Enlistment to National Spotlight

​Born in the central Israeli Arab city of Qalansawe, Waweya’s path to the upper echelons of the military was anything but traditional. Growing up in a conservative Muslim community where military service is not mandatory for Arab citizens, she initially kept her 2013 enlistment a complete secret from her family.

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​”I didn’t want to hurt them, but I knew I had to serve the country I belong to,” she has shared in past interviews. For over a year, she lived a double life, changing into her uniform only after leaving her neighborhood. Her secret was eventually revealed when she was awarded the President’s Distinguished Service Medal in 2015—an honor that forced her to bridge the gap between her private identity and her public duty.

​The “Media Battlefield”

​Waweya is not a newcomer to the information war. As the deputy head of the Arabic communications branch, she pioneered the “Captain Ella” persona on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where she currently commands over half a million followers. Her content focuses on humanizing the IDF’s mission and directly countering misinformation across the Arab world.

​She takes the helm at a critical juncture. Her predecessor, Avichay Adraee, was known for a combative style, often using Quranic verses and colloquialisms to deliver evacuation warnings and military updates. Analysts suggest that Waweya’s appointment signals a strategic shift toward a more nuanced, “shared-identity” approach to regional outreach.

​”The media arena is a battlefield,” Waweya stated at a recent security conference. “It is a war of narratives that is no less difficult than the physical front.”

​A Symbol of Integration

​Beyond the tactical requirements of the job, Waweya’s promotion serves as a potent symbol. Roughly 20% of Israel’s population is Arab, and while enlistment remains a sensitive topic, Waweya’s rise reflects a growing trend of Arab-Israelis seeking integration through national service.

​Today, she says her family—including her mother—embraces her career with pride. “I am a woman, I am Arab, and I am Muslim,” Waweya says. “And I am a proud Israeli officer.”