Suleiman Maswadeh | Government, Communication and Diplomacy, 2019

From Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter to National Television — JMC alumnus Suleiman’s journey reflects determination, courage, and the power of opportunity.

Raised in Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter as the oldest of seven children, Suleiman grew up watching his father work long days as a truck driver to support the family. While studying accounting at Birzeit University, he worked as a waiter at the David Citadel Hotel, where he noticed that Hebrew-speaking employees consistently had access to greater opportunities and higher-paying positions.

At age 20, despite not speaking Hebrew, Suleiman made a bold decision: he left his studies and enrolled in an intensive Hebrew program. Soon after, he began studying Politics and Communication at the Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College (JMC).

While still a student, Suleiman secured an internship at Kan 11’s Arabic channel before transitioning into Hebrew-language reporting. Today, he is a political correspondent and anchor for Kan 11 and a radio journalist for Reshet Bet — one of the few Arab journalists reporting in Hebrew on Israeli national television.

Previously recognized in Forbes Israel’s “30 Under 30,” Suleiman has gone on to interview Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu one-on-one and become a respected voice in Israeli media.

“If you get even a tenth of an opportunity,” he says, “with a small push from the right people, you can achieve what you want.”

We are proud to spotlight Suleiman — a member of the JMC alumni community whose story reflects resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of education and opportunity.