Fauda television series and the turning of asymmetrical conflict into television entertainment

Since its release in February 2015, television drama/action series Fauda has attracted enormous public attention and debate, first in Israel and then abroad, following its global release on Netflix. The story of an Israeli undercover unit chasing an infamous Palestinian terrorist, the series was praised for its ‘realistic’ depiction of the conflict and empathetic portrayal of the opposing sides, as well as for the frenetic rhythm and suspense of the plot. On the other hand, the series has faced criticism for downplaying and obscuring the realities of the Israeli occupation, focusing on a cat and mouse thriller rather than the hardships incurred by a civilian population under military control. Based on a qualitative analysis of media coverage in Israel and abroad, this article analyzes the complex relationship between an ongoing asymmetrical conflict and its representation in fictional television entertainment.