Fauda's 7/10 Episodes Spark Global Buzz, Especially in Arab World

The Israeli series "Fauda" has achieved global success with its fifth season, released on Netflix on September 8. Within days, it topped viewership charts worldwide and entered the top ten most popular series in numerous countries. By September 10, it ranked fourth globally on Netflix, according to FlixPatrol, and held a strong sixth position at the time of reporting. Particularly striking are its high rankings in the Middle East, with the season, which directly addresses the October 7th events, reaching first place in Lebanon, second in Jordan, the UAE, and Bahrain, and third in Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This success in Lebanon is notable given the country's boycott laws against Israel. The series has faced prior criticism in Lebanon for allegedly promoting an Israeli security narrative. Media outlets like Qatar's Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed highlighted the cast's involvement in the Gaza conflict, mentioning actor Ido Amedi's injury and quoting actor Doron Ben-David's support for military operations. The release was even covered in Yemen, generating significant emotional reactions from viewers globally. Many non-Israeli and non-Jewish viewers expressed deep emotional responses, with some describing intense crying and shock, finding the portrayal realistic and impactful. One American viewer stated it was vital for people to see what Israel has endured, while a British viewer called the seventh and eighth episodes "breaking." Some viewers experienced panic attacks, and one noted the difficulty of watching the episodes, highlighting the emotional toll. A viewer from Gaza offered a positive review, calling it one of the project's strongest seasons. However, criticism emerged from some regional viewers who accused the series of presenting a biased perspective that vilifies Palestinians and distorts their struggle. Creator Lior Raz expressed surprise at the global reaction, especially in Arab nations, stating their goal was to tell the world about Israel's experience on October 7th. Co-creator Avi Issacharoff added that they hoped to convey the story that burned within Israelis, enabling outsiders to understand their perspective better.