The End of an Era: Controversial Spokesperson Avichay Adraee Retires from IDF After Two Decades of Service

Media circles across the region are preparing to monitor a shift in the nature of Israeli media discourse directed at the Arab audience, following reports published by the newspaper Maariv indicating that Colonel Avichay Adraee, the official Arabic-language Spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is set to retire and leave military service after approximately 20 years of duty.

Adraee, whose visibility and activity surged remarkably over the past two years through official IDF statements targeting the Arab world, has become a widely known and highly controversial figure in the region. This prominence is attributed to his frequent and active presence on social media platforms and his intensive media campaigns during conflicts.

His core activity focused on publishing maps and preemptive warnings before Israeli attacks on targets in Gaza and Lebanon. The IDF characterized these efforts as part of an "operational media" strategy aimed at delivering direct messages to the civilian population. According to Israeli assessments, Adraee was a fundamental component of the media strategy adopted by the military after the events of October 7, 2023, with the goal of demonstrating adherence to "international law" by issuing warnings before strikes were carried out.

Conversely, Adraee's messages provoked broad and sharp criticism throughout the Arab world. Many viewed them as an integral part of psychological warfare and a blatant attempt to justify bombing campaigns and forced displacement. Adraee occasionally directed messages to the populations of other countries like Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran, a move interpreted by Arab entities as an Israeli military attempt to expand its media presence within the regional arena, while critics directly labeled him as "nothing more than a propaganda tool."

Currently, the Israel Defense Forces is actively searching for a replacement to manage the Arabic-language media file. Reports indicate that three candidates are undergoing intensive evaluations and tests, including on-camera performance assessments, to determine their readiness for this sensitive media assignment.