"I Despise Them": 'Fauda' Co-Creator Slams Former Cast Members 

In a special interview with the Israeli outlet Srugim ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Fauda Season 5 on yes TV, series co-creator Avi Issacharoff took aim at former cast members who spoke out against Israel following the October 7 attacks.

"To be honest? I quite despise them," Issacharoff said during the interview. "You came, you filmed, you got paid for it and now you suddenly remember that you regret it? Come on, enough."

Issacharoff suggested that criticizing Israel has simply become a trend for some in the industry. "It has become a bit fashionable in antisemitic circles," he remarked. When asked if he worries about similar backlash from future cast members, he remained indifferent: "If it happens, it happens. We deal with it."

Facing Post-October 7 Reality Head-On

Issacharoff emphasized that writing and filming the fifth season was a uniquely intense experience, completely different from previous years.

"This is a crazy, extraordinary experience," Issacharoff shared. "It’s not just another season. It is very special, very different, and very sensitive."

He explained that the writing team found it impossible to create a new season without addressing the national trauma. "The season deals with a core issue that happened in reality," he said. "You can't escape it."

Surprisingly, the new season does not depict the events of October 7 directly, choosing instead to set the plot two years into the future. Asked about the creative choice behind the time jump, Issacharoff smiled and kept the mystery alive. "I suggest having patience, watching the entire season, and then asking that question," he said.

Despite intense international scrutiny surrounding Israel, Issacharoff expressed total confidence regarding the show's global footprint and its home on international streaming.

"Netflix will broadcast it," Issacharoff stated firmly, dismissing concerns that antisemitism would hurt the show's distribution.

He believes the raw nature of the new episodes will serve a dual purpose on the world stage. "I believe that antisemites will find it difficult to watch this series," Issacharoff added. "It will be eye-opening for a lot of people who are trying to minimize or erase what happened here."

On Haredi Enlistment and Jerusalem Roots

The interview also touched on broader Israeli social issues, including the ongoing draft debate regarding the Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community. Issacharoff provided a decisive stance, noting, "I don’t think there’s a question mark here. There is a crazy consensus in the Israeli public that wants enlistment for everyone."

Reflecting on the heavy presence of Jerusalem-born talent behind the show, including himself, co-creator Lior Raz, and star Idan Amedi, Issacharoff attributed the show's distinct atmosphere to their shared background.

"We didn't plan it, but that's how it turned out," he concluded with a smile. "You can take the man out of Jerusalem, but you can't take Jerusalem out of the man. Lior and I will continue to be exactly who we are."