IDF soldiers on patrol. Photo: Reuters/Amir Cohen.

I spent Memorial Day weekend binge-watching season two of Fauda, the amazing Israeli drama on Netflix about an elite counter-terrorism unit of the Israel Defense Forces. I watched all 12 episodes over the course of only a few days — and, just like season one, it was intense, interesting, timely, and captivating. Following Israeli commandos who speak Arabic and operate largely inside Palestinian territories is dazzling.

The show details the lives of the soldiers and of Palestinian terrorists. It portrays how the IDF deals with leaders of the Palestinian Authority, how terrorists pay their bills, and love and betrayal on both sides.

It is really great TV, and thankfully Netflix has already commissioned a third season from Fauda’s creators, journalist Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz, who served in Duvdevan, the real-life Fauda unit of the IDF.

On the same weekend that season two of Fauda debuted, a Duvdevan soldier was killed when he was hit by a marble slab dropped from a roof in a refugee camp near Ramallah while working to capture wanted terrorists — something the unit does hundreds of times a year.

On TV and in real life these soldiers go undercover at Arab weddings disguised as caterers to kidnap wanted people; they infiltrate gangs of rock-throwers to capture leaders; or they enter Palestinian markets — while speaking fluent Arabic and playing the parts of locals — in dangerous situations to defend and protect the people of Israel.

As Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman noted just this week, “Duvdevan, one of our elite units, carries out numerous arrests every night in an unending war that affords no fame or publicity.”

These soldiers go out every night on operations that allow Israelis to remain safe. After being consumed with Fauda last year, I was happy to learn that there was a way to financially support them — through the recently-created Duvdevan Foundation, whose goal is to help soldiers and graduates of the unit.

The organization helps soldiers with needs while on missions, but also grant them scholarships to study after their service, brings comfort to families who have lost loved ones, provides emotional support to the brave soldiers, and helps them integrate into Israeli society.

More information on the Duvdevan Foundation is available by contacting Ariel Rubin, its executive director, at Rubin@217.co.il.