The Israeli television series "Fauda" has emerged as the most-watched show in Lebanon, according to recent Netflix viewership data, despite the scarcity of public discussion or media coverage about it in the country. This development comes amid heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel, including ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon, where clashes have transformed some areas into active war zones.
"Fauda," which debuted in 2015, follows Israeli undercover operatives infiltrating Hamas and has gained widespread popularity since its initial seasons across various Arab countries. Its latest, fifth season centers on the events of October 7, offering a narrative from the Israeli perspective on that day’s attacks and their aftermath. The series’ prominence in Lebanon is notable given the usual sensitivity toward Israeli-produced media in the region, where cultural normalization remains a contentious issue.
Experts point to several factors behind the show's success in Lebanon. Maryam Younnes, a Lebanese-Israeli media analyst, notes that the show’s strong cultural content and humanizing portrayal of Israelis have resonated with Arab audiences. Additionally, the availability of "Fauda" on Netflix allows for private viewing, reducing the social and political risks typically associated with publicly consuming Israeli content. This privacy helps explain the disparity between high viewership statistics and the minimal public discourse surrounding the series.
Not everyone views the popularity of "Fauda" as an endorsement of its perspective. Anthony Sargon, host of a Beirut-based podcast on politics and culture, suggested that some Lebanese viewers may initially engage with the show due to its Arabic title, assuming it to be an Arabic series. He also emphasized that many viewers are drawn by the show's regional context rather than its Israeli point of view. According to Sargon, Lebanese audiences, regardless of their political stance, are invested in the ongoing regional conflict and may watch to observe how the situation is portrayed by the other side.
The series portrays Israel as a victim of the October 7 attacks, subsequently transitioning into a role of avenger. Journalist Joe Hammoura interprets this framing as a significant shift from earlier seasons, which portrayed both Israelis and Palestinians with more nuance. In the latest season, Israeli trauma becomes the primary lens through which the conflict is understood, a message aimed not only at regional viewers but also at Western audiences.
The controversy surrounding Israeli cultural products in Lebanon remains intense. Films featuring Israeli actress Gal Gadot have been banned in the country, and Lebanese campaigns continue to call for the removal of Israeli content from streaming platforms, including Netflix. However, the global reach of such platforms complicates enforcement of these boycotts and limits the ability of local authorities to control access.
Underlying the quiet popularity of "Fauda" is a broader and more complex relationship between Lebanese society and Israel. While official discourse largely frames Israel as an adversary, private consumption of Israeli media suggests a nuanced dimension of curiosity, political calculation, and perhaps fatigue with ongoing hostility. At a recent memorial event marking the assassination of Lebanese president-elect Bashir Gemayel, commentator Saleh Machnouk publicly expressed a desire for a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel, reflecting a rare and candid acknowledgment of war-weariness among some Lebanese.
Although the series’ viewership numbers do not necessarily indicate widespread support for normalization or peace, they highlight a shift in Lebanon’s cultural landscape. For many Lebanese, watching "Fauda" may represent both an attempt to understand the Israeli perspective and a cautious step toward grappling with a difficult and often suppressed dialogue about their enduring conflict.