The key facts

  • Netanyahu ordered the attorney general, the IDF chief of staff, and the head of the Shin Bet to reveal the identities of the participants in the NAZA film
  • Directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor face prosecution for 'damage to Israel's interests'; they were previously threatened with revocation of citizenship
  • The film received a special jury prize in Venice and a record 25-minute standing ovation; in November it will be released for free on The Guardian's website

The Prime Minister's Demands

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, and Shin Bet head David Zini to 'immediately identify all those involved in this slanderous film or appearing in it.' This concerns the award-winning documentary NAZA. Netanyahu also demands that the directors — Oscar winners Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor — be held accountable for causing 'damage to Israel's diplomatic and defense interests.'

What the Film Is About

NAZA, which premiered in Venice and received a special jury prize, is currently being shown in cinemas in more than 50 countries. According to the official synopsis, the film 'shows in detail the system behind the calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.' The film was secretly shot at night from rooftops in Tel Aviv during the ongoing war in Gaza. It includes interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers, soldiers, and informants who describe how targets are selected and how strikes are carried out using artificial intelligence and automated surveillance in military targeting systems — despite the fact that, according to them, Israel is aware of the presence of civilians in the strike areas. The faces and voices of the participants were digitally altered to protect their identities. The 80-minute film is based on investigations from 2023–2025 published by +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian.

Reaction and Context

At the Venice Film Festival, the film received a record 25-minute standing ovation — the longest in the festival's history. The Israeli government previously criticized Abraham and Szor, threatening to revoke their citizenship. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Secretary General of the European Federation of Journalists, quoted by The Guardian, called the threats 'a blatant act of intimidation against journalists who were simply doing their job in strict accordance with ethical standards and in the public interest.' According to him, Netanyahu's outburst 'confirms that this regime is ready to do anything to conceal its crimes against humanity and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.' In November, the film will be available to watch for free on The Guardian's website.