Isra al-Modallal

Isra al-Modallal (Arabic: إسراء المدلل) was 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.

Isra al-Modallal
Born1989/1990 (age 29–30)
Egypt
Alma materIslamic University of Gaza
OccupationHamas spokesperson
Known forFirst female spokesperson for Hamas

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. 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. "British-educated woman becomes first female spokesman for Hamas". Telegraph. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  4. Barzak, Ibrahim (10 November 2013). "Isra Almodallal Appointed First Spokeswoman For Hamas". The Huffington Post. AOL. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  5. Sherwood, Harriet (7 November 2013). "Yorkshire-educated woman becomes first female Hamas spokesperson". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
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