Latest news with #Fauda
Roya News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Roya News
'Israeli' facility lets children play ‘terrorist hunters' in simulated Palestinian village
A controversial "Israeli" facility, dubbed Fauda Base, is facing backlash after reports emerged that it allows children as young as six to engage in simulated undercover military operations, including dressing up as "terrorists" and conducting mock raids on a fabricated Palestinian village. The center, located in central "Israel", takes its name from the hit Netflix series Fauda, which dramatizes the actions of an elite "Israeli" undercover unit known as mista'arvim. These units operate disguised as Palestinians, often carrying out lethal operations in the occupied West Bank. The facility is operated by veterans from such units in collaboration with the "Israeli" entertainment company YES, the producer of the series. While the Fauda Base website claims its activities are designed for teens aged 15 and up (12 in its English version), an undercover report by HaMakom revealed that children as young as six have been permitted to participate in shooting simulations. However, the facility later denied this, stating that the minimum age for participants is 16. The experience, marketed as a chance to "go undercover," offers visitors a hands-on glimpse into life as a covert operative. According to its promotional materials, participants engage in 'a special operation and saving human lives,' while wearing gear associated with undercover forces—including mock firearms, military fatigues, and costumes resembling traditional Palestinian attire. 'What will you do when you hear them scream? Have you always dreamed of going undercover? Now's your chance to know what it's like to battle undercover,' the homepage reads. Screencap from the Fauda Base website Activities unfold in a fictional setting called 'El Mahmoudiya,' featuring a market, restaurants, and buildings designed to simulate a Palestinian village. A separate "Bedouin village" experience is also offered, advertised as an "authentic" cultural retreat following the mission. Visitors are assigned roles that include mista'arvim agents, 'terrorists,' and civilians. According to HaMakom's investigation, some participants darken their teeth and wear keffiyehs or fake beards to mimic Palestinians. The experience includes elements such as Krav Maga, urban combat training, and target shooting—though the facility insists all weapons are airsoft and no human targets are involved. Despite criticism, Fauda Base operators claim the experience is apolitical and not meant to educate. 'The activity at the Fauda Base is an experiential activity, not an educational one, full of love for the Arabic language and culture which is part of every good mista'arv person,' they said in a statement. Critics argue the facility reinforces dangerous stereotypes and militarizes children in a deeply polarized context. The "Israeli" mista'arvim units have long been controversial; their operations have included assassinations in the middle of Palestinian cities and even deadly raids in hospitals, as occurred in Jenin last year.
Middle East Eye
04-06-2025
- General
- Middle East Eye
‘Fauda Base': Israeli children taught to play ‘terrorist' hunters in mock Palestinian town
A public Israeli facility is teaching children as young as six how to shoot firearms, become undercover operatives, dress as "terrorists" and play soldiers taking control of a Palestinian village, HaMakom reported on Tuesday. The facility, called "Fauda Base", is located in central Israel. It is named after the controversial Israeli Netflix series Fauda (meaning "chaos" in Arabic), which follows an elite mista'arvim undercover unit who spend their days infiltrating occupied Palestinian territories and killing Palestinians. The facility is run in collaboration with the company YES, which produces the hit TV series. It was established in 2021 by veteran members of Mista'arvim and other special units. Fauda Base simulates an espionage operation to save the country and captives, said one of the operators of the facility back in 2021. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Visitors can experience "a day in the life of a soldier in a special mista'arvim unit, participating in a special operation and saving human lives," according to the facility's website. "What will you do when you hear them scream? Have you always dreamed of going undercover? Now's your chance to know what it's like to battle undercover," reads the homepage. In addition, Fauda Base operators promise that visitors "will be able to shoot all kinds of guns used by special forces: M4s, Glocks, Uzis, Tavors, sniper rifles, Kalashnikovs, and more," referring to various weapons, some of them used by Israeli security forces. Hit TV show Andor spurs viewers to draw parallels to Israel's war on Gaza Read More » All weapons used in the facility are airsoft guns, according to the website. "For the most part, you will not be shooting at each other. Instead, you shoot at various targets." Mista'arvim units are known for their operations within civilian Palestinian population. Just last month, a mista'arvim unit assassinated a Palestinian man in Nablus in broad daylight. Last year, a mista'arvim unit raided a hospital in Jenin disguised as medical staff and women and killed three patients and civilians. 'Special operation' According to HaMakom, the facility's customers include labour unions, businesses, youth movements and education departments from local authorities, along with other groups that work with children and teens. Its flagship activity is called "Fauda special operation", in which participants must plan an operation in a Palestinian village after they are divided into different roles. Participants "will receive combat equipment that includes personal weapons, commando uniforms or mista'arvim clothes, all in accordance with their role in the unit," said the website. According to the HaMakom report, visitors wear keffiyeh, galabeya and beards to resemble Palestinians. "In addition, they also paint their teeth in order to make them look dirty or missing." According to the website, staff and visitors "will play terrorists, some of them innocent civilians, others mista'arvim agents, and all of them together will create a lively, unique and unforgettable environment that takes the participants to levels of excitement and extremes that they have not yet experienced." 'They also paint their teeth in order to make them look dirty or missing' - HaMakom news site The participants will have to "become an operational combat team in a mista'arvim unit. The team must begin a series of training that includes shooting training, warfare in urban areas, Krav Maga, and more." The activity at Fauda Base takes place in an imaginary village called "El Mahmoudiya", where visitors can find "a small market, a restaurant and several buildings where Fauda's special activities are carried out." After the operation in the fictional Palestinian village, visitors are invited to a "Bedouin village", which provides an "oriental, authentic and unforgettable experience," where they can rest, eat and enjoy the feeling of solidarity and brotherhood of fighters, according to the website. Although the Fauda Base website states that the minimum age to participate in activities is 15 (12 in the English version), a facility representative told HaMakom that the minimum age for shooting practice is six. In response to HaMakom questions, Fauda Base denied that the activity is open to children as young as six and said the minimum age is 16. "We work with youth movements, education departments and other organizations, but the activity is for high school ages and older," it said. According to the facility's operators, there is no shooting at targets or figures. "The activity at the Fauda Base is an experiential activity, not an educational one, full of love for the Arabic language and culture which is part of every good mista'arv person," it added.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kankhajura Season 1 Review: A slow-burn thriller with emotional depth
Story: After 14 years in prison, Ashu is freed under a deal with the police. Rejected by his powerful real estate tycoon brother Max, Ashu vows revenge on him and those who bullied and harmed him in the past. Review: After successfully adapting Your Honor and Fauda for Indian audiences, the makers now turn to the acclaimed Israeli series, Magpie, to deliver Kankhajura (Hindi for centipede) — a psychological thriller that explores the emotional wreckage of fractured families, betrayal, and the murky terrain between guilt and survival. Set against the deceptively tranquil backdrop of Goa, the series unfolds as a brooding character study more than an outright crime drama. The story revolves around Ashu (Roshan Mathew), a man released from prison after 14 years under the condition that he serves as a covert informant for the police. But Ashu's release is anything but liberating. Hoping to reconnect with his elder brother Max (Mohit Raina), a real estate baron with a polished exterior and murky allegiances, Ashu finds himself instead disowned and isolated. This rejection catalyses his downward spiral and sets the stage for a personal vendetta that drives much of the series' emotional core. Director Chandan Arora establishes a strong tone early on, using a measured pace and intimate direction to draw viewers into the psychological turmoil of the characters. The first few episodes are especially taut, rich in subtext and psychological nuance. Arora wisely leans into the show's emotional beats, allowing tension to simmer as past traumas, sibling rivalry, and unresolved guilt resurface. Roshan Mathew delivers a deeply committed performance as Ashu. His portrayal of a man haunted by his past and manipulated in the present is both subtle and stirring. Mohit Raina is compelling as Max, bringing layers of charm, ruthlessness, and internal conflict. The supporting cast is equally effective—Sarah Jane Dias is quietly impactful as Max's wife, Nisha, while Mahesh Shetty and Ninad Kamat convincingly portray Max's morally ambiguous allies, Shardul and Pedru. Trinetra Haldar and Usha Nadkarni provide depth and emotional grounding, while Heeba Shah's Inspector Leena adds a welcome edge to the police narrative. Cinematographer Rajeev Ravi captures Goa not as a sun-drenched paradise but as a place of shadows and secrets. The dusky palette and unhurried camerawork complement the show's reflective tone, turning the setting into an unspoken character. That said, Kankhajura isn't without its flaws. While the storytelling is atmospheric and intelligent, it occasionally loses momentum. Certain subplots meander and some character arcs lack resolution, suggesting the narrative may be more effective if streamlined. The show also doesn't quite deliver the urgency or cliffhangers typical of the thriller genre, opting instead for a slow burn—an approach that may not appeal to all viewers. Still, the show succeeds in capturing the fragility of human relationships and the difficulty of escaping one's past. Its themes of sibling rivalry, emotional repression, and moral compromise resonate, and its Indian adaptation lends a raw emotional texture to the original Israeli framework. Kankhajura may not be an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but it is a thoughtful, character-driven drama with enough intrigue and depth to keep you invested across its eight episodes. It's a decent blend of noir and psychological introspection—well worth a watch for those who prefer slow-burning narratives over shock-and-awe spectacle.
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
WAVES 2025: Israeli actor-dancer Rona-Lee Shim'on on her India connection
Though Israeli actor-dancer Rona-Lee Shim'on is currently on maternity break and has taken time off from essaying the role of Velma Kelly in the stage production of Chicago, she was excited to visit India, one of her favourite travel destinations. Rona-Lee, known for playing Nurit in the acclaimed Israeli TV series Fauda, was one of the panelists at the session, 'Braving the Odds, Scripting a New Narrative', held during the recently-concluded World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025. When The Indian Express caught up with the 42-year-old actor, she spoke about travelling and performing across India nearly a decade ago, when she toured with a theatrical production. She described that as 'one of the most incredible experiences' of her life. Moved by the kindness of Indians, Rona-Lee admits feeling a deeper connection with the country, its people and its natural beauty. Her latest trip to India bears special significance since she is now seven months pregnant. 'This is the sixth time I am visiting India. I'm happy to have this experience with my baby,' says the actor, who announced her first pregnancy, and the fact that she would be a single mother, on social media some time ago. Amazed by the popularity of Fauda in India, which has also been remade in Hindi as Tanaav (2022-24) on SonyLIV, the actor believes that streaming services have made the world smaller today. 'When we first worked on Fauda, we did not know that it would be this big. But after its Netflix release, it has achieved a considerable following globally,' says the actor, who played the sole female member in a team of undercover operatives. She shares that she has been approached to be part of Indian projects in the past, and hopes 'to find an interesting project soon'. Referring to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur as one of her 'favourite directors', she said she has been 'manifesting (working in an Indian project) this for many, many years'. Speaking at WAVES, Rona-Lee highlighted that the summit provides a platform for storytellers to change narratives. She also underlined the importance of women uniting to create new opportunities in cinema. She believes that social media has played a key role by giving women the power to share their voices and stories. Much before Rona-Lee took up acting, she had been a professional dancer. She was three when she started her ballet lessons. By 12, she was part of a Tel Aviv-based dance troupe Bat-Dor. After finishing high school, she joined the Royal Ballet Academy in Amsterdam on a full scholarship. Subsequently, she became a contestant on the Israeli version of So You Think You Can Dance. In spite of finding success on the big screen , she has been a stage regular — she played Anita in West Side Story; and Sally Bowels in Cabaret. Once her maternity break is over, she plans to go back to playing Velma Kelly on stage. Although her recent visit to India was eventful, one of her wishes remained unfulfilled — she could not indulge in her favourite north Indian dishes. 'I love rajma-chawal. But, this time, I did not get to eat that,' the Israeli artiste shares.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Cruel' L.A. DA Should Be Removed From Menendez Brothers' Case, Family Demands; Aunt In ICU After Photos Of Shotgun Killed Father Displayed In Court
Ahead of an upcoming and much delayed resentencing hearing that could see the Menendez brothers out of prison after decades, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is being blamed for an octogenarian relative being in critical condition in hospital after photos of the siblings' father mutilated dead body were shown in court last week. Fighting efforts by the DA kicked off in March to stop any change in Erik and Lyle Menendez's life without parole status for the brutal 1989 shotgun killing of their parents, members of the Menendez family now want Hochman and his team off the case ASAP. More from Deadline Mélanie Laurent Signs Up For 'Fauda' Season 5 Finn Wolfhard Was "Satisfied" But "Confused" With His 'Stranger Things' Ending: "None Of It Felt Real" Menendez Brothers' Resentencing Hearing Can Proceed, Judge Rules 'We will not let what happened on Friday stand,' family members said in a statement Sunday after 85-year-old Terry Baralt, sister to the brothers' record executive father José Menendez, was admitted to hospital on the morning of April 13. 'We are taking formal action and demanding that the District Attorney's Office be removed from this case. They have shown again and again that they are incapable of handling this process with the fairness, care, or neutrality required by law.' 'This wasn't just cruel,' the family goes on say. 'It was a clear violation of our rights under Marsy's Law, which guarantees victims the right 'to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process,' they continued in a longer statement that can be read in full below. 'What happened was the opposite. The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. 'The District Attorney's Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words.' Convicted in a second trial and sentenced in 1996 in their early 20s to spend the rest of the lives behind bars for the admittedly premeditated murders of their father and their mother Kitty Menendez the now middle aged siblings reentered the spotlight in recent years thanks to Ryan Murphy and Netflix's hit series Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story and several documentaries reexamining their cases. The brutal photos of José Menendez, who has been accused of repeatedly sexually abusing his sons and others, were suddenly put on display on April 11 during an unsuccessful presentation before LA Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic by Deputy DA Habib Balian. It should be noted, the crime scene photo of the maimed and murdered José Menendez was not new to public view. The same photo shown in court last week was used in the 2024 Netflix documentary The Menendez Brothers as well as other films. Still, keeping the April 17 starting proceedings on the court calendar, Judge Jesic rejected moves by Hochman's office to withdraw a motion to reconsider the brothers' lifetime incarceration. 'As counsel for the victim's family members. I was appalled that without so much as a warning to allow them the option to avoid further distress, the DA callously decided to re-traumatize the family by needlessly showing insensitive photos on screen in their court presentation,' lawyer Bryan Freedman told Deadline Sunday. 'This despicable action was a clear violation of Marcy's law which requires absolute empathy toward victims. The DA flashing of the crime scene photos is directly responsible for Aunt Terry being rushed to the ICU. We are all praying for her recovery, she did not deserve this. Shame on those who knowingly engaged in this egregious conduct.' As DA Hochman attended a National Crime Victims week event in San Pedro on Sunday, his office responded to the attacks by the Menendez family and attorney Freedman. 'We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing,' the LA DA's office said today of the accusations by the family and Terry Baralt's condition. 'We understand the nature of the evidence of these heinous double murders was deeply emotional. However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light. That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves.' With Hochman himself giving a press conference Sunday where he reiterated his critique of any resentencing of the brothers, his office added: 'To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo.' The DA's office did not address the family's call for them to step aside. Graphic photos aside and with the Menendez brothers attending virtually, the April 11 court hearing that both Hochman and his office mentioned today already saw the DA at the end of a judicial scolding. 'There's no new information,' LASC Judge Jesic told the court last Friday, dismissing the current DA's contention that the still high profile brothers have not fully accepted responsibility for their deeds and that resentencing was initiated by previous DA George Gascón for purely political purposes. 'None of this is really new. They've stuck with their story. It goes to whether they've been rehabilitated.' At the same time as resentencing hearings are in progress, Gov. Gavin Newsom will ultimately be making the final decision on all this after early last month ordering a risk assessment of the brothers to inform the clemency request on his desk since late 2024. The Menendez brothers are set to appear individually before the parole board on June 13. After getting recommendations from the board, who would have to oversee any potential resentencing and pass that on to Newsom, the governor will announce his judgement. In the meantime, and ahead of the April 17 and April 18 resentencing hearing, read the full statement released today by the family-led Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition here: We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt – who is a mother, an aunt to many of us, and José Menendez's sister – has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court. Without notice, prosecutors chose to show a graphic, unredacted image of José's dead body directly in front of us, his surviving family. No one prepared us. There was no warning, no humanity – just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief. Terry, who is battling cancer, came to court to support her family. No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink. By early this morning, she was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition. This wasn't just cruel. It was a clear violation of our rights under Marsy's Law, which guarantees victims the right 'to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process.' What happened was the opposite. The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. The District Attorney's Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words. Mark Geragos objected to their cruelty and clear violation of Marsy's law to protect us in real time. In response, Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian didn't apologize. He didn't show an ounce of concern. Instead, he smirked and said, 'Are you done, Mr. Geragos?' The level of disrespect was staggering. But it's part of a disturbing pattern we've come to expect, especially from DA Hochman, who has repeatedly spoken to us with aggression and disdain and we will be holding him accountable. We have tried to engage in good faith. We asked for a different contact in the DA's victim services division after learning that Kathy Cady had been appointed as the Director of the division. Our objection stemmed from Kathy Cady having previously represented the only family member who opposed Erik and Lyle's release, while she actively campaigned and endorsed DA Hochman during the election. Our concerns were viewed as an annoyance. No one was reassigned to us. And time and again, the message from this office has been clear: because we believe in mercy and rehabilitation, our pain doesn't matter. The District Attorney seems to only care about victims' rights when they align with his point of view. Now, let us be crystal clear: our forgiveness for Erik and Lyle does not erase our grief. It does not mean we don't mourn José and Kitty. It means we believe that people can grow. That trauma begets trauma. That cycles of abuse can and must be broken. It is not contradictory to hold love for those who were harmed and for those who caused harm, it is human. And yet this District Attorney's Office seems determined to punish us for that humanity. We will not let what happened on Friday stand. We are taking formal action and demanding that the District Attorney's Office be removed from this case. They have shown again and again that they are incapable of handling this process with the fairness, care, or neutrality required by law. Instead, they have been determined to make this personal, and they have. Our family is hurting. Terry may not recover from what was done to her – and to all of us – in that courtroom. We deserve better. We firmly believe that if the DA's office had shown even an announce of consideration for us, as victims, we would not be hoping for one more day with Terry right now. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
