‘Fauda’ star Lior Raz at MDA event: New season tackles Oct 7, global reach expands

Fauda star Lior Raz said the upcoming fifth season of the internationally acclaimed Israeli television series will focus on the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack and its aftermath, speaking this week at a sold-out Magen David Adom (MDA) event in Westchester County.

“We couldn’t even imagine writing something that wasn’t about October 7,” Raz said during an onstage conversation with American Friends of MDA Northeast Leadership Council member Anita Greenwald, who helped organize the event with her husband, Rich Greenwald.

First launched in 2015, Fauda follows an undercover Israeli counter-terrorism unit battling jihadi terrorists in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, and Belgium. Featuring extensive Arabic dialogue and perspectives from both sides of the conflict, the series has earned global recognition for its realistic, complex and nuanced storylines.

Speaking about the show’s worldwide success, Raz described Fauda as one of Israel’s most successful cultural exports at a time when Israel and Jewish artists are increasingly targeted for boycotts.

“It’s not just Jewish people who watch it. It’s huge all over the world,” Raz said, noting the show’s popularity in India, Brazil, Lebanon, and across Europe. He added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked to meet him during a recent visit to Israel.

The series has also been directly affected by the war in Gaza. In January 2024, Fauda actor Idan Amedi was seriously injured while serving as a combat soldier during battles against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. He later recovered and returned to performing in February 2025.

Raz also spoke about rising antisemitism around the world and what he described as growing reluctance within parts of Hollywood to support Israel publicy.

“We need to show them that we are strong,” he said. “Be proud of who you are and not afraid.”

“They’re all afraid,” Raz added, referring to the entertainment industry. “Everything that you say in our industry can cancel you.”

The event also highlighted the work of MDA, Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood services organization, during both the Oct. 7 attack and the recent war with Iran.

“Magen David Adom has been Israel’s heartbeat, answering an emergency call every nine seconds, running toward danger when everyone else runs away,” said Ali Bernstein, director of major gifts at American Friends of MDA.

Raz praised MDA responders as “the melting pot of Israel.”

“Arabs, Jews, Christians, Orthodox, non-Orthodox, everybody working together, volunteering in order to save lives,” he said. “It’s an honor to be part of this organization and to support and help this organization.”

On Oct. 7, MDA workers and volunteers risked their own lives to rescue and comfort Israeli citizens in the south who were victims and witnesses of unspeakable atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists.