Touching the Wound of October 7
Three years after the Hamas attack, the Israeli show Fauda revisits the day in episodes that are difficult—and perhaps important—to watch.
On September 11th and October 7th, history witnessed concentrated, spectacular violence, moments of total rupture that altered the course of lives and societies. As these dates have become ingrained in collective memory, the days themselves have faded, leaving behind only the raw sensory shock and ordinary moments that followed.
Recall of October 7th, however, is nearly impossible, as the day has been imbued with layers of meaning and interpretation, perceived differently by different people. Participants in debates, both online and offline, argue about what the day justifies, excuses, inspires, and obscures. Yet, what may get overlooked is the essence of the day: helplessness.
The Israeli television show Fauda, streaming on Netflix, brought this helplessness back to life through two episodes that re-create the events of October 7. The series, a War on Terror procedural, follows a unit of Israeli soldiers living undercover in Arab communities, and in this instance, the plot revolves around revenge for the rape and murder of a soldier's wife and children on October 7.
As the show delves into the trauma of that day, it offers a glimpse into the rawness of pure experience, a moment where the world is not yet defined, yet ready to be experienced in its entirety.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
