Controversial Israeli Documentary ‘NAZA’ Sparks Outrage

On the streets of Jerusalem, opinions are divided on whether the creators of the documentary film NAZA, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, are truth-seekers or betrayers. “They should be prosecuted for betraying the nation, the army, and the Jewish community worldwide,” stated Revital Hershko.
The film has stirred controversy in Israel, receiving a special jury award and a lengthy standing ovation at the recent Venice International Film Festival. Lasting around 90 minutes, NAZA delves into Israeli military strategies in Gaza, including the use of AI technology to target individuals in civilian locations, leading to the deaths of innocent Palestinians.
As Israeli citizens, Abraham and Szor have faced criticism, with many branding them as deceitful traitors. “They are causing significant harm to our country. What they claim is untrue. They are spreading lies. Our soldiers did nothing wrong,” expressed Dalia Shemtov, a Netanya resident who shared her views in Jerusalem.
While numerous individuals expressed anger towards the film, none had actually viewed it as it is currently only being shown at film festivals. The documentary has attracted attention due to its focus on 24 Israeli military and intelligence personnel rather than Palestinian perspectives on the casualties in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The film’s allegations have been refuted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), citing the use of anonymous sources and the inability to verify the information. One specific claim in the trailer, where a man mentions approving an airstrike resulting in 500 deaths, was labeled as “completely false” by the IDF, though the exact death toll remains uncertain.
Following the film’s release, the IDF’s chief of general staff, Lt.-Gen Eyal Zamir, directed military lawyers to explore legal avenues against the filmmakers. The Guardian, a British newspaper, which produced the film, pledged strong support for NAZA and its creators against any attempts to censor or attack them.
Abraham emphasized that as Israelis, they felt obligated to shed light on insider testimonies. “Silence or denial of crimes enables their persistence,” he stated during a press event in Venice. Another Israeli filmmaker, Uri Rosenwaks, initiated an online petition backing the film in defense of freedom of expression.
However, criticisms continue to mount, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denouncing the film as “shocking” and condemning the need for Israel to combat antisemitic incitement worldwide and internally.
Eliya Cohen, a former hostage in Gaza for 505 days, expressed profound anger on social media, stating, “I’m furious beyond words.” Cohen was among those captured during Hamas-led attacks in 2023 that resulted in significant casualties on both sides and escalated tensions between Israel and Hamas.
North American audiences will have the opportunity to form their own opinions when NAZA is screened at the upcoming New York Film Festival starting on Sept. 25.