Fauda Co-Creator Expresses Shock at Global Success, Criticizes Israeli Government

Avi Issacharoff, co-creator of the hit Israeli television series 'Fauda,' has expressed astonishment at the show's global success, particularly following the inclusion of the October 7th atrocities in its latest season. Issacharoff stated that the two episodes depicting the events of October 7th elicited strong emotional responses worldwide, resonating with audiences on a deeply personal level.

Issacharoff voiced significant concern over what he perceives as a failure in Israel's public diplomacy efforts. "The deterioration in global public opinion towards Israel took such a rapid turn. The crash was so fast in recent months, even with a ceasefire," he remarked. He questioned the government's inaction on this front, stating, "I can't understand it. I'm not a spokesperson, it's not my job, we make cinema and television, but you look around and ask: where in God's name was the State of Israel in all of this story?"

He admitted that neither he nor the other creators anticipated being called upon to assist Israel with its public relations. "Nobody thought we would be required to help the State of Israel in the explanatory aspect, not at all. We didn't understand that the country is so dysfunctional in the explanatory sphere, but it is very typical of what happened to Israel. The adversary is playing against an empty goal in the explanatory sphere," Issacharoff explained.

Regarding the emotional impact of the October 7th episodes, Issacharoff believes they connected with viewers because they represent a shared national trauma. "This is the story of each and every one of us, it is a national trauma, it is a trauma that shapes you. It is a story you want to tell, a terribly important story, we wanted the world to see, hear, and perhaps understand," he said.

When asked if he and the other creators had been compensated for the show's surging popularity on Netflix, Issacharoff unequivocally stated, "The simplest answer I can give is unequivocally, no." However, he downplayed the financial aspect, emphasizing the importance of the series being seen globally: "We want the series to be seen and for people all over the world to watch it."