Making History: Female Muslim Officer Tipped to Replace Iconic IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichay Adraee

Lieutenant Colonel Ella Waweya, widely known by her popular online moniker "Captain Ella," is the likely candidate to succeed the retiring Avichay Adraee as the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson. If appointed, Waweya, a Muslim officer, would make history as she steps into one of the most visible public diplomacy roles in the Middle East.

Waweya currently serves as the Deputy Head of Arabic Communications within the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. Her potential appointment follows the announcement that Avichay Adraee, who became one of the most recognized Israeli faces in the Arab world, is leaving the military after 20 years of service.

From National Service to the Frontline of Media

Waweya's personal journey is a testament to dedication and service. She grew up in the Arab city of Qalansawe. Around the age of 22, she chose to perform national service at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. Two years later, she took the significant step of enlisting in the IDF. She quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a new media officer in the Arabic communications section. Her excellence was formally recognized in 2018 when she received an award from then-Head of Central Command, Aharon Haliva.

Waweya views her role not just as public relations, but as a crucial operational mission. She has stressed to Israeli media outlets that “The media arena is a battlefield. This is a war that is no less difficult than other places.”

The War of Consciousness

Waweya highlighted the importance of her unit’s work in presenting Israel’s truth against the terrorist groups' propaganda efforts. Her comments directly addressed the tactics used by Hamas terrorists:

“When we look today at the October 7th massacre, when Hamas invaded Israel, they entered with cameras with the aim of changing consciousness and building a circle of hatred. We ultimately come and show our truth. We expose what the other side is doing and present our truth, and we do it with courage. This is very important and, as I said, it is no less important and no less a battle over consciousness and our truth.”

Waweya's social media presence targets a wide audience across the Middle East. She noted that her platforms are strategically used, detailing that "On TikTok it is more the arena of Judea and Samaria and Gaza, and on Instagram it is mixed, also from the West, also from Israel and from Arab society in general, including Lebanese. The target audience is the Arab audience in the Middle East."

The potential appointment has been praised by those who advocate for greater integration and visibility of Israeli Arabs. Arab-Israeli advocate Yoseph Haddad publicly supported her candidacy, tweeting that "There is no one more deserving than her to replace Avichay Adraee as the IDF spokesperson in Arabic. Captain Ella, a Muslim officer, deputy IDF spokesperson, a powerful woman, a soldier, and a patriot who does an amazing job for the state in the Arab world. I hope she makes history and receives this post."