Elina Jebreal

Palestinian-Italian journalist and filmmaker challenging Middle Eastern stereotypes through media

Elina Jebreal (b. 1974) is a trailblazing Palestinian-Italian journalist and filmmaker who has reshaped narratives about the Middle East through her reporting and documentaries. Growing up between Italy and the West Bank, Jebreal's dual heritage drives her mission to humanize often-misrepresented communities. As a correspondent for Italy's La Repubblica, she reported from conflict zones including Gaza, Syria, and Iraq, emphasizing civilian perspectives.

Jebreal gained international acclaim for her 2015 documentary Je Suis de la Résistance, which explores resistance movements across the globe. Her directorial debut film A World Without Fear (2016) addresses the refugee crisis through a Palestinian protagonist's journey. She also co-founded the Women in Media initiative to support female journalists in conflict areas.

As a vocal advocate for press freedom, Jebreal has testified before the European Parliament about misinformation in Middle East reporting. Her writings appear in The Guardian and Foreign Policy, where she critiques Western media biases. In 2020, she launched the Jebreal Media Foundation to train young journalists from marginalized communities. Jebreal's work has earned multiple awards including the International Women of Courage Award (2018).