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Israeli Lead Actor in Netflix Series About Biblical Figure Moses Calls Support From Arab Countries ‘Heartwarming’
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Avi Azulay, left, as Moses in the Netflix miniseries “Testament: The Story of Moses.” Photo: Screenshot
Israeli actor Avi Azulay, who stars as the biblical figure Moses in a new three-episode show streaming on Netflix, talked about the “amazing and very moving” feedback the miniseries has received from viewers around the world and especially in Arab countries.
Testament: The Story of Moses, which was produced in Turkey and released on March 27, is about the life of Moses and his rise to become the prophet and savior of the Jewish people.
“From the banks of the Nile to Mount Sinai to the Red Sea, Testament seamlessly interweaves gripping docudrama and expert interviews, revealing Moses’ intensely personal quest for redemption—setting in motion some of the most inspiring and iconic events in the Bible, Qur’an and Torah,” Netflix said in its synopsis of the show.
While some on social media have criticized various historical inaccuracies in Testament, the miniseries is currently the most watched series on Netflix in the US and the second most watched English-language series globally, with 13.5 million views around the world. It is also among the top 10 shows on Netflix in 91 countries and held the number one spot in countries like Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“What excites me the most is receiving feedback from Arab countries that support and love the series,” Azulay told Ynet about the success of Testament, which features other Israeli cast members as well. “We are currently in first place in many countries worldwide, and it’s simply heartwarming and immensely enjoyable. I am grateful for it.”
“It surprised me very, very positively to see all the Arab countries supporting us, loving the series, respecting the players,” he added. “Only really good things, from every direction. I receive around a thousand messages a day, not only from Arab countries of course – from all over the world, and as I said it really gives me hope.”
Azulay said fans in the Arab world have told him “You are our prophet” and “We love you,” and praised him for his “amazing role” in the miniseries. “I have not come across any comments about being Jewish or Israeli, which is lovely in my eyes and makes my heart and soul feel good,” he noted. “I suddenly feel that there is hope, it makes me feel good that there are people who see beyond.”
Azulay also talked about the timeliness of Testament and it being released after the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel and amid a rise in antisemitism worldwide.
“There’s something about this series, and I have received a lot of feedback about it, that it’s particularly suitable for the situation we are in now,” the actor explained. “I received a lot of responses from Israelis because the message of the series is that we need to be together.”
