Israel’s Backlash Against ‘NAZA’ Filmmakers Escalates to Citizenship Threats and Street Protests

Key points

• The 80-minute documentary 'NAZA' won the special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a record 25-minute standing ovation.
• The film features interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli military personnel who describe using AI and surveillance to calculate expected civilian deaths, referred to by the acronym 'NAZA.'
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed legislation to revoke the citizenship of co-directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, citing defamation of the state and soldiers.
• Far-right activists have gathered outside the family home of director Rachel Szor, calling for the 'execution' of the filmmakers and labeling them traitors.
• The Israeli government has faced a coordinated backlash from 43 human rights organizations and over 2,000 film professionals who have signed petitions defending the directors' right to expression.
• President Isaac Herzog has stated that revoking citizenship for speech has 'no chance' of happening under current law, though he condemned the film as a disgrace.

Background

The controversy follows the release of 'NAZA,' a documentary by Oscar-winning directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who previously made 'No Other Land.' The film builds on reporting from outlets like +972 Magazine and The Guardian regarding Israeli military practices in Gaza. The backlash occurs against the backdrop of a three-year war in Gaza, where over 75,000 Palestinians have been killed. The incident highlights growing tensions between the Israeli state and its cultural and journalistic communities, as well as international scrutiny regarding freedom of expression and war crimes.

How outlets are covering it

Salon frames the documentary as a potential 'tipping point' in global public perception of the Gaza war, emphasizing the moral urgency of the film's content. In contrast, The Guardian and The Forward focus heavily on the institutional and legal response, detailing Netanyahu’s push for citizenship revocation and the IDF’s initial aggressive stance, which later softened to avoid international criticism. Haaretz highlights the physical dimension of the backlash, reporting on right-wing agitators gathering outside the filmmakers' homes and calling for violence. While Salon and The Guardian emphasize the film's impact on global awareness, The Forward and Haaretz detail the domestic political maneuvering and the legal precedents regarding citizenship revocation, noting that such measures have no historical basis for artistic or journalistic expression.

Why it matters

The 'NAZA' controversy represents a critical test of democratic norms and press freedom within Israel. The government’s attempt to use state power to silence filmmakers and journalists through legal threats and incitement has drawn comparisons to 'dictatorial regimes' by human rights groups. The international reaction, including support from prominent figures like Laura Poitras, suggests that the film may shift global discourse on the Gaza conflict, moving beyond abstract debate to specific, documented military practices. The outcome of this legal and social battle will likely set a precedent for how Israel handles dissent and critical journalism during wartime.

What to watch

The immediate next steps involve the potential legislative process for the citizenship revocation bill, which President Herzog has indicated is unlikely to pass. The IDF has reportedly lowered its media profile to avoid further international scrutiny, focusing instead on rebutting the film's specific claims. The documentary is expected to have a calculated theatrical rollout to reach audiences quickly. Meanwhile, the safety of the filmmakers and their families remains a concern as far-right protests continue, and the legal battle over defamation and state security will likely proceed through the courts.