Muslim Maj. Ella Waweya as New IDF Arabic Spokesperson

Tuesday, 03 February 2026 | Web Desk

In an uncommon move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has appointed a Muslim woman officer, Major Ella Waweya, as its new military spokesperson for the Arabic language.

According to Israeli media, the 36-year-old Major Waweya is set to take over the role from Colonel Avichay Adraee in the coming weeks. Known on social media as “Captain Ella,” she is recognized as one of the IDF’s foremost Muslim Arab female officers and will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel upon assuming her new duties.

Ella Waweya was born in the Arab town of Qalansawe in central Israel and voluntarily enlisted in the IDF in 2013. While Israel is a Jewish state, approximately 20% of its population consists of Arab citizens, including Muslims, Christians, and Druze. Military service is mandatory for the Druze and Circassian communities under Israeli law.

For Muslim and Christian Arab citizens, however, enlistment is voluntary. Notably, recent years have seen a surprising increase in the number of Arab youth, particularly women, volunteering to serve in the Israeli military.

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The appointment of Major Ella Waweya is being viewed as a significant step forward in the context of the growing representation of Arab citizens, especially Muslim women, within the ranks of the IDF.