Fauda
Fauda is an Israeli television series created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, depicting the high-stakes operations of an elite Israel Defense Forces undercover unit, the Mista'aravim, who impersonate Palestinians to apprehend or eliminate militants in areas such as the West Bank and Gaza Strip.[1][2]
The narrative, inspired by the creators' IDF experiences—particularly Raz's 23 years in special forces—incorporates authentic counterterrorism tactics modeled after the real Duvdevan unit, alongside fictionalized accounts of events like Hamas tunnel constructions and the 2006 abduction of soldier Gilad Shalit.[1]
Premiering in Israel in 2015 and gaining international distribution via Netflix, the series has run for five seasons, earning acclaim for its tense action sequences and exploration of the human and psychological costs borne by soldiers, including post-traumatic stress.[1]
Fauda secured multiple accolades, including 11 awards at the 2018 Israeli Academy of Television Awards such as best drama series, best screenplay, and best actor for Raz, and has become Israel's longest-running action series.[3][4]
Its global popularity surged, with season 4 topping Netflix charts in Lebanon—where much of the plot is set—and ranking highly in the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan, attributed in part to authentic Arabic dialogue and relatable conflict dynamics despite the sensitive subject.[5][6]
While lauded for humanizing participants on both sides of the conflict and reflecting operational realities, Fauda has drawn controversy for its portrayal of Palestinian militants and Israeli tactics, with critics arguing it equates unequal moral positions or reinforces stereotypes, though creators emphasize the shared toll of violence.[1][7][2]