‘Fauda’ is a global hit, though people still root for the terrorists

The fifth season of the Israeli thriller “Fauda” is now streaming on Netflix, marking 10 years since the series first brought the realism of Israeli counterespionage to a global audience. Despite its depiction of Israeli covert operatives outsmarting Arab terrorists, the show has achieved significant international success, consistently ranking in the top 10 in 43 countries, including Lebanon, and reaching its highest-ever position at number four in non-English-speaking Netflix territories. This success is notable given that many of these regions often express anti-Israel sentiment. The series, which means “chaos” in Arabic, features Mizrahi Jewish and Bedouin operatives who blend in with Arab populations, speaking Arabic fluently, and grappling with moral dilemmas. The latest season, set two years after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, incorporates this real-world trauma into its storyline, with characters like Eli losing his family and Doron, portrayed by co-creator Lior Raz, haunted by the events. The article highlights the paradox of the show's popularity in a world that often demonizes Israel, suggesting that while audiences enjoy the dramatic portrayal of Israeli heroes, this appreciation doesn't always translate into a shift in global public opinion regarding Israel's right to self-defense.