Rula Jebreal

A Palestinian-Jordanian journalist and filmmaker advocating for human rights and women's empowerment in the Middle East.

Rula Jebreal (born July 25, 1968) is a Palestinian-Jordanian journalist, author, and filmmaker known for her courageous reporting on Middle Eastern conflicts and human rights issues. As the first Palestinian journalist to work for Italian state television (RAI), she reported from the frontlines of the 2006 Lebanon War and the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, exposing human rights abuses by both governments and militant groups.

Jebreal's 2014 documentary 《My Happiness Begins》 won an Emmy Award for its investigation into Syria's chemical weapons attacks. Her work often highlights the stories of women affected by conflict, including her 2016 book 《Hijab: The Choice》 which explores the diverse experiences of Muslim women worldwide.

In 2017, she founded Speak Truth, a media platform amplifying underreported stories from marginalized communities. The initiative has trained over 500 young journalists in conflict zones. Jebreal also serves as UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on ending violence against women in conflict regions.

Her 2019 film 《The Cave》 fictionalizes the true story of a Syrian doctor working in besieged hospitals. The film won multiple awards and was Jordan's Oscar submission. Jebreal's work has been recognized with Italy's highest civilian honor, the Knight of the Order of Merit, and she remains a vocal advocate for peace processes in the Middle East.