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Isra al-Modallal
Born1989 or 1990 (age 33–34)
Egypt
Alma mater Islamic University of Gaza
OccupationHamas spokesperson
Known forFirst female spokesperson for Hamas

Isra al-Modallal ( Arabic: إسراء المدلل) is the first female spokesperson in English for the Hamas government in Gaza between 2013–2014. [1] She was born in Egypt and raised in Gaza. She attended high school in Bradford, England, and graduated from Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media studies. She worked as a broadcast journalist before accepting the spokesperson role. Her appointment was part of a Hamas effort to change its public image.

Early life and career

Isra al-Modallal was born in Egypt [2] to Palestinian refugees [3] and spent her youth in Gaza. [4] She attended Grange Technology College in Bradford, England [4] while her father went to university. [5] She developed a Yorkshire dialect while in England. [5] She graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media studies and later worked as a broadcast journalist. [5] She has credited camera experience at a local station and English-language satellite news channel as formative career experiences. [4]

Al-Modallal began her new role as the Hamas government's international spokesperson in November 2013. [5] She was the first female to hold the position. [5] Her appointment came as part of a Hamas effort change its public image under media head Ihab al-Ghussein, who opened a new government website, increased government social media use, and recruited younger staff. [4] As a female figure in power, her role was expected to more closely connect Palestinian and Hamas concerns with the West and to empower Palestinian women. [5] Al-Modallal has referred to herself as a Palestinian and not as a Hamas devotee. [4] [5] She said she would focus on human rights and humanitarian causes, would not speak with Israeli media, and would launch a social media campaign. [5]

She is divorced, and has one daughter. [4]

References

  1. ^ "أول مرة..ظهور الناطقة الإعلامية إسراء المدلل في مؤتمر صحفي بغزة". Rachel Corrie. 10 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  2. ^ Usborne, Simon (12 November 2013). "A move in the right direction? After years of restricting women's rights Hamas hires Isra Al-Modallal as its first female spokesperson". The Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  3. ^ Tait, Robert (11 November 2013). "British-educated woman becomes first female spokesman for Hamas". Telegraph. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Barzak, Ibrahim (10 November 2013). "Isra Almodallal Appointed First Spokeswoman For Hamas". The Huffington Post. AOL. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Sherwood, Harriet (7 November 2013). "Yorkshire-educated woman becomes first female Hamas spokesperson". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
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