A living hub for the people of Palestine — those who shaped it, and those who stood with it.

Suggest a profile
Portrait of Rula Jebreal

Rula Jebreal

Influential Palestinian-Italian Journalist

Born
24 April 1973
Born in
Haifa, Palestine
Read Rula’s storyAsk about Rula

Why Rula is here

Trailblazing journalist and author addressing Middle Eastern affairs and immigrant experiences in Europe.

Their story

Rula Jebreal was born in Haifa in 1973 and grew up in Jerusalem, where she was raised at Dar al-Tifl, the school Hind al-Husseini founded for orphans of the Deir Yassin massacre. A scholarship took her to Italy in 1993, where she became a well-known journalist and television presenter.

Her novel Miral, drawn from her own life, was made into a film by Julian Schnabel in 2010. As a commentator on MSNBC and in the Italian and international press, she has been a forceful voice for Palestinians.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Rula’s path.

  1. Migration to Italy for University

    Jebreal moved to Italy to pursue higher education, a pivotal moment that set the stage for her future career in journalism and activism.

  2. Becoming the First Foreign Anchorwoman on Italian TV

    A significant breakthrough in her career, highlighting her role as a bridge between cultures and perspectives.

  3. Publication of "Miral"

    Her novel "Miral" brought international attention to the Palestinian cause and was later adapted into a film.

    Read more

  4. Advocacy for Palestinian Rights

    Jebreal has been an outspoken advocate for Middle Eastern affairs, particularly Palestinian rights, on international platforms.

    Read more

  5. Academic Contributions

    Through her lectures and academic affiliations, Jebreal has contributed to the discourse on journalism, Middle Eastern politics, and migration.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Journalistic Coverage of Middle Eastern Politics

    Jebreal's reporting, and commentary have provided deep insights into the complexities of Middle Eastern politics and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

  2. Literary Contributions

    Through her novels and writings, Jebreal has explored themes of identity, conflict, and the immigrant experience, contributing significantly to literary discussions around these topics.

  3. Television and Media Presence

    Jebreal's presence in Italian and international media has brought diverse perspectives to broad audiences, challenging stereotypes and promoting dialogue.

  4. Public Speaking and Advocacy

    Through public speaking engagements, Jebreal has advocated for human rights, focusing on the rights of Palestinians and the importance of journalistic integrity.

  5. Educational Impact

    Jebreal's role as an educator and lecturer has influenced the next generation of journalists and thinkers, promoting a nuanced understanding of global issues. AUR together with Rula Jebreal (award-winning journalist, author, and foreign policy analyst) started the Rula Jebreal Scholarship Fund in 2015 as an initiative that aimed at providing an education that is about liberating the mind and broadening horizons to provide tuition and living costs for six students from conflict countries (Syria, Palestine, Swaziland, and Egypt).

    Read more

Ask about Rula

Curious about something? An AI guide answers from Rula’s profile.

Rula’s guide AI

Answers come from Rula’s profile on this page. It isn’t Rula, and it can make mistakes.

What would you like to know about Rula?

Ask in your own words about Rula’s early life, work, the moments that shaped them, or their legacy. The guide answers only from this profile, so if something isn’t covered, it will tell you.

AI-generated from this profile. Spotted something wrong? Correct or add information.

Further reading

Something wrong or missing?

Help improve Rula Jebreal’s profile. Send a correction, a source, a photo or missing information. An editor checks every update before publication.

Correct or add information

Keep exploring

More faces from Journalism

All 35 in Journalism