Isra al-Modallal (
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...
: إسراء المدلل) was the first female spokesperson in English for the
Hamas
Hamas (, ; , ; an acronym of , "Islamic Resistance Movement") is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, militant, and nationalist organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam ...
government in
Gaza between 2013–2014.
She was born in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...
and raised in
Gaza. She attended high school in
Bradford,
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
, and graduated from
Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media studies. She worked as a
broadcast journalist
Broadcast journalism is the field of news and journals which are broadcast by electronic methods instead of the older methods, such as printed newspapers and posters. It works on radio (via air, cable, and Internet), television (via air, cable, ...
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
to Palestinian refugees
and spent her youth in Gaza.
She attended
Grange Technology College in
Bradford,
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
while her father went to university.
She developed a
Yorkshire dialect
The Yorkshire dialect (also known as Broad Yorkshire, Tyke, Yorkie or Yorkshire English) is a dialect of English, or continuum of dialects, spoken in the Yorkshire region of Northern England. The dialect has roots in Old English and is influen ...
while in England.
She graduated from the
Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media studies and later worked as a
broadcast journalist
Broadcast journalism is the field of news and journals which are broadcast by electronic methods instead of the older methods, such as printed newspapers and posters. It works on radio (via air, cable, and Internet), television (via air, cable, ...
.
She has credited camera experience at a local station and English-language satellite news channel as formative career experiences.
Al-Modallal began her new role as the Hamas government's international spokesperson in November 2013.
She was the first female to hold the position.
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.
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.
Al-Modallal has referred to herself as a Palestinian and not as a Hamas devotee.
She said she would focus on human rights and humanitarian causes, would not speak with Israeli media, and would launch a social media campaign.
She is divorced, and has one daughter.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Modallal, Isra
Living people
Palestinian politicians
Palestinian Muslims
Year of birth missing (living people)
Islamic University of Gaza alumni