Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza as it prepares for large-scale counter-offensive
Israel’s TV landscape has sparked debates since the mid decade, influencing American premieres and shaping global platforms. After successful runs and the confidence to push bigger projects, Israeli creators have gained traction on streaming services around the world. The wave of acclaimed series like Fauda helped prove that Israeli storytelling can travel far beyond its borders and inspire fresh formats for global audiences.
As the Gaza war unfolds in media coverage, the lingering wounds and complex realities bleed into audiences’ perceptions of televised narratives. The current conflict continues to color how viewers interpret political thrillers, dramas, and character studies that arrive on screens across North America and beyond.
Below is a curated look at Israeli content that is readily accessible on major platforms. It reflects the way contemporary Israeli television has expanded its reach and influenced international audiences.
This global sensation gained widespread attention after joining Netflix in 2019, following the trials and tribulations of the Shtisel family. The family, rooted in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, navigates tradition and modern love as Haredi Jews. Akiva, a young bachelor, and his taciturn father Shulem search for connection while staying true to beliefs. The series also featuresShira Haas, who later rose to international recognition in Unorthodox as Akiva’s sister Giti’s eldest daughter. The show remains available on Netflix.
In a different vein, the title that translates to chaos in Arabic introduces a political thriller with pulse-pounding action. It follows a high-stakes game between an Israeli special unit and a terrorist cell, moving from the West Bank into the Gaza Strip in later seasons. The creators present both sides as nuanced, three-dimensional characters, inviting viewers to consider moral ambiguity in a region defined by conflict. Netflix continues to carry this gripping series.
Winner of best TV series at Canneseries in 2018, a dramatic thriller from Omri Givon follows four former Israeli Defense Forces soldiers whose lives diverge after service. A shared trauma draws their paths together as a startling discovery reframes a previously assumed fate. The cast includes Ninet Tayeb, who became a notable name after her breakthrough in Israeli pop culture, and other cast members who bring depth to a story of friendship, loss, and resilience. Netflix remains the platform for this compelling drama.
Israel’s half-hour format has proven advantageous beyond comedy. A drama featuring Eli Ben-David, inspired by his own experiences, explores personal and national tensions. The narrative traces a musician who relocates to Paris with his French wife and encounters the 2015 rise of immigration and security concerns. The film weaves a tale of ambition, danger, and cultural collision, illustrating how shorter formats can deliver powerful emotional arcs. The film is available on streaming services that carry Israeli productions.
During the summer of 2014, a kidnapping and subsequent killing of teenagers by Hamas militants sparked waves of hate incidents, including gruesome violence against a Palestinian teen. A miniseries intimately examines these tragedies, considering how fear and prejudice escalate into broader conflict. The work invites viewers to reflect on the human cost of violence while staying anchored to its real-world context. HBO carries a version of this dramatic exploration.
Apple’s collaboration with Moshe Zonder, the chief screenwriter behind Fauda, produced a tense espionage thriller that delivers relentless suspense from the first episode. Niv Sultan portrays Tamar, a Mossad hacker who infiltrates Tehran under the alias of a flight attendant to thwart a critical nuclear threat. The series evokes the mood of classic political thrillers while showcasing contemporary tech-driven espionage. A second season has been announced, and Apple TV+ distributes the show to global audiences.
Period dramas only recently found a large audience in Israeli television, thanks to improved budgets and ambitious storytelling. A saga about a family spanning three generations in early 20th century Jerusalem highlights cultural and historical shifts. In parallel, The Valley of Tears revisits the iconic battles of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, offering a cinematic look at a turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Both projects demonstrate how historical narratives can illuminate modern identities and conflicts. HBO carries these ambitious productions for international viewers.
Among the creators, Ron Leshem stands out as a key figure in shaping the original Euphoria’s landscape, contributing to a tradition of high-stakes storytelling in Israeli television. The global reach of these shows underscores how Israeli creators blend local authenticity with universal themes. The broader impact on streaming platforms has helped foster cross-border collaborations and new formats that appeal to diverse audiences across North America and beyond.
In sum, contemporary Israeli television continues to push boundaries by pairing intense political storytelling with intimate human experiences. The result is a rich catalog of dramas and thrillers that resonate with global viewers while reflecting the region’s complex history and ongoing realities. As platforms worldwide expand their catalog of Israeli content, audiences gain access to stories that illuminate both local life and universal questions about identity, loyalty, and resilience. [Netflix, 2019] [Canneseries, 2018] [HBO, various years] [Apple TV+, ongoing]