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Fauda (Hebrew: פאודה, from Arabic: فوضىfawḍā, meaning "chaos" or "mess") is an Israeli television series developed by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff drawing on their experiences in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It tells the story of Doron, a commander in the Mista'arvim unit and his team; in the first season, they pursue a Hamas arch-terrorist known as "The Panther". Internationally, the series is streamed by Netflix.[2]
The first season was filmed in Kafr Qasim during the 2014 Gaza War, and premiered on 15 February 2015. The second season premiered on 31 December 2017. The third season takes place in the Gaza Strip and aired in 2019 and 2020.[3][4] A fourth season aired in early 2023.
Plot
Season 1
Eighteen months prior to the start of the show, the Israeli soldier Doron and his unit were credited with killing the terrorist Taufiq Hammed. Following this, Doron retires from service in order to grow a vineyard. At the beginning of season 1 Doron is visited by Moreno, the commander of his old unit, who informs him that Taufiq Hammed is still alive and plans to attend his brother Bashir's wedding. Doron rejoins his team in order to go undercover at the wedding. Ultimately they are discovered and Bashir is killed, moments before Taufiq is to arrive. Although Doron is able to shoot Taufiq, and injures him, Taufiq escapes.
Taufiq barely survives the gunshot wound and is forced to have secret emergency surgery so as to not reveal that he is alive or where he is. Doron convinces Moreno to allow him to stay on with the unit until they catch Taufiq. Bashir's family all mourn him as a shahid (martyr) and his wife, Amal, vows revenge. Taufiq's right-hand man, Walid, convinces his cousin Shirin to help Taufiq escape from the hospital minutes before Doron's team arrives.
Amal, distraught over Bashir's death, volunteers to bomb a nightclub which Boaz, Doron's brother-in-law and a member of his unit, frequents. This will ensure that the Israelis get the message that it is revenge on Boaz for the killing of Bashir. The plan is for Amal to arm the bomb in her purse and then leave the club three minutes before its detonation. However, Amal decides to stay and die in the explosion. Boaz regains consciousness following the blast and finds his girlfriend's body. Boaz does not handle the discovery well, and after getting pulled over, physically assaults the police and ends up in jail.
While on a mission, Boaz gets captured and is held hostage by Hamas. Doron and his team decide to prepare an unapproved mission to kidnap Taufiq's friend Sheikh Awadalla in an attempt to get Boaz back. When Doron finds out that Taufiq had a bomb implanted inside of Boaz, the team kidnap Taufiq's daughter to use as additional leverage. Ultimately Boaz and the Sheikh both get blown up, and Taufiq's daughter gets badly injured.
Doron, still undercover, interviews for a position to be a shahid for Taufiq, a role which he ultimately gets recruited for. Taufiq reveals his plan to Walid: they received sarin nerve gas that will be detonated in the synagogue, which will cause Israel to retaliate with force, committing war crimes and forcing other Islamic states to respond. Walid eventually discovers Doron's true identity and orders Doron to be killed, however the rest of the unit shows up just in time to kill everyone who was watching him. Walid shows the proof to Taufiq and then shoots him in the back of the head.
Season 2
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Season 3
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Season 4
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Characters
Cast and crew of Fauda in 2018: Left to right: Laetitia Eido, actor; Tsahi Halevi, actor; Gilad ben Amram, composer; Avi Issacharoff, co-creator; Lior Raz, co-creator, actor; Rotem Shamir, director; Rona-Lee Shimon, actor.
Main
Doron Kabilio
Portrayed by Lior Raz. Doron is married to Gali, and has a son, Ido, and a daughter, Noga.[n 1] Doron, after leaving the army, lives on a farm and grows grapes in order to make his own wine.[n 2] Doron having previously been credited with killing Abu Ahmad, rejoins his old Israel Defense Force (IDF) unit, 18 months later, after intelligence discovered Abu Ahmad was still alive.[n 2]
Taufiq Hammed
Portrayed by Hisham Sulliman. Taufiq is commonly referred to as Abu Ahmad, and is nicknamed "The Panther". He is married to Nassrin and had a son (Ahmad),[n 3] a daughter (Abir).[n 4] Taufiq had been trained by Ali Karmi, since he was a kid, and considers him a father, however he ordered Ali to be killed, when Ali turned his back on him and gave information over to Israel in exchange for surgery for his daughter.[n 5]
Walid Al Abed
Portrayed by Shadi Mar'i. Walid as of season 1 he is 20 years old.[n 5] Walid is a trusted member is Taufiq's team, and one of the few who knows the truth about him being alive after his funeral.[n 6] Taufiq views Walid like a son to him, and eventually Taufiq wants Walid to replace him.[n 3] Walid however eventually winds up killing Taufiq, shooting him in the head from behind, however after shooting him, Walid cries and kisses Taufiq.[n 7]
Dr. Shirin Al Abed
Portrayed by Laëtitia Eïdo. Shirin is 32 years old as of season 1, and a cousin of Walid.[n 8] Her mother is from Nablus, her father is from Paris.[n 8] She volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in 2006.[n 8] She studied medicine at An-Najah National University, and works in the emergency room of Rafidia Surgery Hospital.[n 8] She is a widow, who was originally married at age 23 to a chemist, named Naji,[n 9] who died four years later, from multiple sclerosis.[n 8] She spent more of her life in Paris than in Israel, and left Paris after Naji died to be closer to her mother.[n 9]
Captain Ayub (Gabi)
Portrayed by Itzik Cohen. He has been divorced twice, and lives by himself.[n 10] He has five kids, with the youngest son being named Nadav,[n 11] and has another son named Yiftah.[n 3] Gabi's favorite time is, every year, when his family goes to the desert on vacation, and he has no mode of communication with those who are not with him.[n 11] He develops a respectful and affectionate relationship with Abu Maher, the head of Palestinian Preventive Security.[5]
Mickey Moreno
Portrayed by Yuval Segal, commander of Doron's former unit, who pulled him back in.[n 2] He is romantically involved with Nurit.[n 5] Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno met with Gideon Avital in order to tell him his futures plans for the unit, only to be told he was being let go, with the unit being disbanded.[n 11] Moreno ultimately blackmails Avital into giving him his unit back, or else he will reveal to the press that the two of them had shot five prisoners in the head in Gaza years ago.[n 10]
Gali Kabilio
Portrayed by Netta Garti. Gali is Doron's wife,[n 2] and Boaz's older sister.[n 1] She is very unhappy with their life and wishes she could move outside of Israel.[n 6]
Gali is having an affair with a member of Doron's unit, Naor, and says she is no longer in love with Doron.[n 5] Her son eventually finds out about the affair while listening in on their phone conversation,[n 1] and later sees them kissing on the couch from upstairs.[n 3] Ido eventually pulls Naor's gun on him stating that his father is not there because of him.[n 12] Gali later tells Doron that he stopped fighting for her years ago, and she was afraid of him.[n 12]
Nassrin Hamed
Portrayed by Hanan Hillo. Nassrin is the wife of Taufiq,[n 2] and her mother is Hafida.[n 12] Nassrin grew up in Germany.[n 12]
Boaz
Portrayed by Tomer Kapon. Boaz is fluent in Arabic,[n 6] and is a member of Doron's unit. As a cover he states he works with Arabs in the Ministry of Defense.[n 6] He is Gali's younger brother.[n 2]
Although Boaz survives a bombing of the nightclub he frequents, his girlfriend, Daria, does not. Unable to cope with the loss of Daria, Boaz drunkly destroys his apartment, then gets arrested while driving his motorcycle, and then beats up the cop.[n 9] Following this Boaz has trouble maintaining his temper and coping with day-to-day life, and always wears her necklace.[n 5]
Although Doron wants to keep Boaz out of the field while he recovers, Moreno insists he returns to the field, where he ultimately gets captured on his first mission back.[n 5] While being questioned by Walid, Boaz states his name is Mohammad Abu Snina from Surda, and works for the Intelligence Agency, and provides documentation to support his story.[n 1] When questioned by Taufiq, Boaz is able to convince him that his story is legitimate but is ultimately discovered when Taufiq recognized his tattoo as the man who shot Bashir.[n 1] While captured, following surgery, Taufiq tells Boaz he took his kidney in order to give it to Ali Karmi's daughter, only to later find out they really implanted a bomb.[n 4] Despite Doron's best efforts Taufiq eventually gives the order to explode the bomb inside Boaz, killing him.[n 4]
Naor
Portrayed by Tzachi Halevy. Naor is a member of Doron unit. He has been having an affair with Doron's wife for over a year.[n 5] When Gali mentions she is ready to leave Doron for him, he tells her to wait, because its complicated with Doron back in the unit.[n 5] Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno intended to make Naor team leader, before Moreno was also told the unit would be disbanded.[n 11]
Nurit
Portrayed by Rona-Lee Shimon, is the sole female member of Doron's unit.[n 2] She is romantically involved with Moreno.[n 5] Rona-Lee Shimon plays Nurit, a woman who is dour and rarely smiles, someone with many issues. Initially a staff member, she becomes an active member of the team, acting undercover.[6]
Avihai
Portrayed by Boaz Konforty. Avihai is a member of Doron's unit, he has a wife and one son (Guy).[n 9] Avihai considers himself like an attack dog, where he needs to always be ready to jump right into action, without thinking about the emotion.[n 4] Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno informed Avihai that he was being discharged, before Moreno was also told the unit would be disbanded.[n 11]
Steve Pinto
Portrayed by Doron Ben-David. Steve is a member of Doron's unit. Although he goes by Steve, his birth name is Hertzel.[n 4] Steve has a crush on Nurit, and attempts to kiss her while staking out Abir.[n 4] Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno informed Steve that he was being discharged, before Moreno was told the unit would be disbanded.[n 11] Steve later brings Doron to Boaz's grave, where he cries while reciting Kaddish.[n 12]
Abu Maher
Portrayed by Qader Harini. Abu Maher is the head of the Palestinian Preventive Security. Abu Maher is reconciled to peace and coexistence, and therefore willing to cooperate with the Israelis to combat Islamist terror.[7] Ayub and Abu Maher share intelligence to figure out how to best their common foe, be it Hamas or ISIS.[5]
Recurring
Ido Kabilio portrayed by Mel Malka, son of Doron and Gali. Ido, eventually finds out about the affair his mother is having with Naor, while listening in on a phone conversation,[n 1] and later sees them kissing on the couch from upstairs.[n 3] Ido eventually pulls Naor's gun on him stating that his father is not there because of him.[n 12] After Doron stops him, Ido states that he should have killed him.[n 12]
Jihan Hamed portrayed by Khawlah Hag-Debsy
Sheikh Awadalla portrayed by Salim Dau, is a spiritual leader and a close and trusted friend of Taufiq.[n 5] When Taufiq wants to exchange Boaz for Hamas members imprisoned by Israel, Sheikh is the man he wants to run negotiations with Egypt.[n 1] After Taufiq gives the order to detonate the bomb inside Boaz, Doron orders the bomb vest strapped to Sheikh to be detonated as well, killing him.[n 11]
Gideon Avital portrayed by Uri Gavriel, is the Minister of Defense. While in Gaza with Moreno, years prior to entering politics, they shot five prisoners in the head.[n 10]
Distribution
In the summer of 2016, the satellite network yes officially picked up season 2 of the show, stating it will focus more on real world events.[8] During the fall of 2017 the initial trailer was released,[9] and the official premier date was later announced to be 31 December.[10] A few weeks prior to the airing of season 2, Fauda was renewed for a third season, to air in 2019.[11]
The series is distributed by the online streaming service Netflix, billed as a Netflix original program, and premiered on 2 December 2016.[12] Season 2 was added to Netflix in May 2018.[13]
Episodes
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Doron is brought back into the IDF after discovering that Taufiq, the man he thought he killed 18 months earlier, was still alive and planning on attending his brother Bashir's wedding. Ultimately they are discovered and Bashir is killed, moments before Taufiq is to arrive. Although Doron is able to shoot Taufiq after recognizing him and chasing him, Taufiq is able to escape.
2
2
"Episode 1.02"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
22 February 2015 (2015-02-22)
Taufiq is shown to have survived the gun shot wound, but barely, and is forced to have secret emergency surgery as to not reveal that he is alive or where he is. Doron is able to convince Moreno to allow him to stay on beyond his one mission, until they catch Taufiq, while Doron is revealed to have marital issues at home. Bashir's family all mourns him as a Shahid (martyr), while his wife, Amal, vows revenge.
3
3
"Episode 1.03"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
1 March 2015 (2015-03-01)
Shirin helps Taufiq escape from the hospital minutes before Doron's team arrives to attack him. Amal gets assigned to blow up a night club that Boaz frequents, to send a message that it is revenge for Bashir's killing, however Amal decides to not leave and stay with the bomb.
4
4
"Episode 1.04"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
8 March 2015 (2015-03-08)
Boaz wakes up following the blast at the night club and finds his girlfriends body, causing him to ultimately be arrested for driving his motorcycle drunk and beating up a cop. Taufiq wants a safe house in order to see his wife. Doron convinces Shirin to go on a date with him, but he leaves early to try and hunt down Taufiq. The team just missed Taufiq, and Nurit winds up killing an Arab woman that attempts to stab her.
5
5
"Episode 1.05"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
15 March 2015 (2015-03-15)
Moreno comes in to check on Nurit and they wind up having sex. Gali is revealed to be having an affair with a member of Doron's unit. Ali, a senior member of Hamas, is being interrogated by Israel as he was supposed to provide information on Taufiq in exchange for surgery on his daughter. Ali eventually leads Doron's unit to a meeting he has with Taufiq, but they kill Ali, before the team gets there, and Boaz gets captured while separated from the team.
6
6
"Episode 1.06"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
22 March 2015 (2015-03-22)
Boaz attempts to make his capturers believe he is Muslim, which works until Taufiq recognizes his tattoo as the man who killed Bashir. Doron and his team decide to prepare an unapproved mission to kidnap Sheikh Awadalla, in an attempt to get Boaz back.
7
7
"Episode 1.07"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
29 March 2015 (2015-03-29)
Shirin performs surgery on Boaz, and Taufiq tells him he took his kidney in order to give it to Ali Karmi's daughter. Sheikh Awadalla caves under the pressure of interrogations and gives up Taufiq's location, however he had already moved. Doron gets Shirin to admit that she did not in fact take Boaz's kidney, but implanted something electronic inside of him. Doron announces they will instead move on to Plan B, where they kidnap Taufiq's daughter Abir. At the prisoner exchange, Walid is instructed to release Boaz without detonating the bomb or else he will blow up Abir and Sheikh, however Taufiq gives the orders to blow the bomb anyway.
8
8
"Episode 1.08"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
5 April 2015 (2015-04-05)
After seeing Boaz explode, Doron orders that Sheikh's bomb be detonated as well, then flees off the road. Moreno tells Steve and Avihai that they are no longer with the unit and that Doron will be prosecuted by the courts, while Moreno offers Nurit a promotion which she rejects. Nassrin is forced to allow an Israeli doctor to operate on Abir's eye although she wishes to transfer her to Ramallah for the surgery instead. Moreno visits Gideon Avital to find out that he too has been discharged due to the issues, and the entire unit would be disbanded. Doron is shown wandering around Arab neighborhoods and ultimately takes shelter in a mosque.
9
9
"Episode 1.09"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
12 April 2015 (2015-04-12)
Doron shows up at Shirin's apartment after wandering the streets injured, and after she treats his wounds, he kisses her. Moreno blackmails Avital into reinstating him and the unit. Taufiq puts a kill order on Shirin for betraying them, but Doron is there and kills the men that were sent. Doron poses as a potential shahid to try and become part of Taufiq's plan. Following his meeting, Doron is captured by a member of the Palestinian Preventative Services to attempt to discover his plan.
10
10
"Episode 1.10"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
19 April 2015 (2015-04-19)
Gabi shows up to release Doron, and bring him back to Israel. Taufiq sends Walid to kill Shirin, but instead he asks her to marry him. Nassrin informs Taufiq that she can't take any more and intends to go home to Berlin and take their children with her. Doron is transferred to Israel where he awaits trial, but Gabi tries to convince Gideon Avital to allow Doron to finish his mission before facing trial.
11
11
"Episode 1.11"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
26 April 2015 (2015-04-26)
Abu Halil is grabbed off the streets and winds up being interrogated by Gabi, where he reveals he brought sarin nerve gas, via Jordan from Syria. Gabi uses this information to convince Gideon to allow Doron to fulfill his mission in exchange for a full pardon. Gabi presents Nassrin with their passports and informs her that he has arranged for their travel to Berlin. Doron returns home to find Ido pointing a gun at Naor, blaming him for the reason his father is not there. Shirin reluctantly agrees to marry Walid, but sleeps with Doron after he walks out of his house. Taufiq reveals his plan to Walid, that the sarin nerve gas will be detonated in the synagogue, which will cause Israel to retaliate with force, committing war crimes, which will force the other Islamic states to respond.
12
12
"Episode 1.12"
Assaf Bernstein
Moshe Zonder
3 May 2015 (2015-05-03)
Walid watches the suicide vest being assembled while Doron and his team review their plan. Doron is brought to the secret location and fit with the suicide vest. While Doron is prepped for the missions Walid goes to see Shirin where she tells him they cannot get married. Walid, assuming its due to Amir, goes to the Palestinian Preventive Security office to confront him, only to find out Amir is really Doron, and they have recruited a Jewish spy. Walid phones back to alert the people prepping Doron that he is a spy, so they ditch his stuff into the back of a pick up truck, which the team winds up following. Just as they are about to shoot Doron, the team returns and kills all of the Hamas men there. Walid returns to Taufiq's hide out, shows him the proof on Doron, then shoots Taufiq in the head from behind. Walid sends the proof of who Doron really is to Shirin, and she walks out on Doron mid-date.
Season 2
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
13
1
"Episode 2.01"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
31 December 2017 (2017-12-31)
14
2
"Episode 2.02"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
7 January 2018 (2018-01-07)
15
3
"Episode 2.03"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
14 January 2018 (2018-01-14)
16
4
"Episode 2.04"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
21 January 2018 (2018-01-21)
17
5
"Episode 2.05"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
28 January 2018 (2018-01-28)
18
6
"Episode 2.06"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
4 February 2018 (2018-02-04)
19
7
"Episode 2.07"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
11 April 2018 (2018-04-11)
20
8
"Episode 2.08"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
18 April 2018 (2018-04-18)
21
9
"Episode 2.09"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
25 April 2018 (2018-04-25)
22
10
"Episode 2.10"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
4 May 2018 (2018-05-04)
23
11
"Episode 2.11"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
11 May 2018 (2018-05-11)
24
12
"Episode 2.12"
Rotem Shamir
Amir Mann
18 May 2018 (2018-05-18)
Reception
Accolades
In 2016, the show took six awards, including Best Drama Series, at the Israeli Academy Awards.[8] In December 2017, The New York Times voted Fauda among the best international shows of 2017.[14] In 2018, the show took 11 Israeli TV Academy Awards, including best TV drama, best actor for Lior Raz and also best screenplay, casting, cinematography, recording, special effects and in other categories.[15]
The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes indicated that 100% of reviews were favourable for all three seasons.[16]
Criticism
Rachel Shabi, writing in The Guardian, criticised the show for its politics and its "relentless machismo".[17] According to Yasmeen Serhan of The Atlantic, "Viewers who are hungry for a Palestinian perspective on the conflict would do well to urge Netflix to commission a Palestinian-created series, because Fauda will probably prove a disappointment."[18] George Zeidan of Right to Movement Palestine, was more direct; in Haaretz, he wrote "The Middle East is already bursting with disinformation, insinuations and dangerous propaganda: there's no need for yet more. Fauda can do better."[19] An article by Yara Hawari in Al Jazeera about the "latest surge of programmes focusing on Israel and trying to show it as a force for good" gave the opinion that "although not as crude as classic Orientalist cinema and TV, these programmes are no less racist and perhaps even more dangerous in their subtlety and slick presentation."[20] Reviewers have described it as "shooting and crying".[21]
Series production manager Matan Meir, a reservist in the IDF, was killed by a bomb trap in a Hamas tunnel in the Gaza Strip on 11 November 2023, while deployed during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[27]
