At the Jewish National Fund’s Major Donors Reception on May 31, Lior Raz, co-creator and star of the critically-acclaimed “Fauda,” offered an insider’s perspective into the creation of the hit Israeli TV political thriller that airs in more than 100 countries.
Raz, a native of the West Bank city of Ma’ale Adumim, told the audience of more than 80 local JNF supporters at the Audi Owings Mills dealership that he drew on his personal experiences as an Israeli citizen – particularly as an undercover special operations soldier in the Israel Defense Forces – to create the award-winning show, which in 2016 was picked up by Netflix
“Fauda” follows an Israeli counter-terrorism unit operating in the West Bank. The show is presented in Hebrew and Arabic. Raz portrays Israeli Doron Kavillio, a retired commander of the Mista’arvim elite undercover unit, who is working as a vineyard farmer while immersed in a troubled marriage.
The 46-year-old actor and screenwriter said is particularly proud that “Fauda,” which debuted in 2015 and means chaos in Arabic, has been well-received by Jews and Arabs alike. He noted that he receives fan mail regularly from Arab viewers who “once hated Jews before … but now don’t.”
Raz was introduced to the audience by Orly Shalem, board president of the JNF Maryland-Delaware office.
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