Jerusalem – The Israeli documentary NAZA, which won the special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, has ignited a fierce political backlash within Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top military officials have denounced the film as an attempt to undermine Israel’s right to defend itself and have called for the removal of its co‑directors’ citizenship.
Government officials condemn the film
Netanyahu labeled the documentary “antisemitic incitement” and said, “When it comes from within us, it’s simply unbearable.” Culture Minister Miki Zohar echoed the sentiment, urging that directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor be stripped of their Israeli citizenship. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, chief of the Israeli General Staff, asked military prosecutors to investigate potential leaks and said the film represents “a dangerous attempt to deny us the legitimacy to defend ourselves against the worst of our enemies.”
Film’s claims and Israeli response
NAZA—an acronym used by the Israeli military for collateral damage—features testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders, including intelligence officers and soldiers, who allege that artificial‑intelligence systems are used to identify and bomb Hamas targets in Gaza, often with knowledge that many civilians will be killed. The Israeli military confirmed the use of AI for target identification but stressed that a human operator makes the final decision before any strike is executed.
The filmmakers, co‑produced by The Guardian and director Jonathan Glazer (known for the Oscar‑winning The Zone of Interest), say the documentary is based on verified, confidential sources. In an interview on Israel’s Channel 13, co‑director Yuval Abraham defended the film’s verification process and questioned why Israeli journalists have done little to investigate civilian deaths and the military’s rules of engagement during the war.
International context and domestic reaction
The documentary’s release comes amid ongoing international criticism of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war, which began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 73,789 Palestinians have died in the conflict, though it does not separate civilians from combatants.
Critics of the film, including spokesperson Doron Spielman for Netanyahu’s office, accused the directors of seeking foreign awards and “standing applause” from Israel’s detractors. Spielman said, “What they wanted was awards from overseas from Israel haters.”
Broader implications
The controversy highlights the deep divide between how the war is perceived inside Israel—as a necessary act of self‑defense—and how it is viewed abroad, where many observers label the civilian toll as a potential war crime. While the film is not yet available to the public, its creators intend to seek distribution in Israel, Europe, and the United States.
As the next Israeli elections approach, the film’s reception may influence public debate over military accountability and the balance between national security and transparency.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
