IDF Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee joins Channel 12 News

Col. Avichai Adraee, the face of the IDF to the Arab world for the past two decades, is moving to the media sector. Adraee will join Channel 12 News as an Arab affairs analyst, the network announced Tuesday, marking a new chapter for one of the most recognizable figures in Israeli military communications.

In his new role, Adraee is expected to appear across Channel 12's various news programs, providing analysis and commentary on events in the Arab world and the Palestinian arena. It is his first media position after more than twenty years in the IDF, according to a report on the Mako news site.

Two decades at the IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Adraee served for 21 years as head of the Arabic-language communications division at the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, a role in which he became a familiar and identifiable figure throughout the Arab world. In recent months, command of the division was transferred to Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, known as "Captain Ella," who has continued the path he paved.

Since completing his official role as spokesman, he has served as an adviser to the IDF's Arab and Middle East Affairs Unit.

A household name in the Arab world

During his tenure, Adraee became a widely recognized figure across the Arab world. He managed the IDF's Arabic social media accounts, published evacuation notices to civilians in Lebanon and Gaza, and was the face of Israel to the millions watching him throughout the Middle East.

During the Iron Swords war, Adraee was intensively involved in disseminating messages to the civilian population in Gaza and Lebanon. He issued evacuation notices to cities and villages, warned residents of impending strikes, and conducted direct communication with Arab audiences on social media.