Brief
US release of Israeli documentary “NAZA” fuels debate over Gaza war and American aid
The film’s US opening comes as Israeli officials denounce it as antisemitic and threaten legal action against its makers.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Israeli documentary “NAZA,” which alleges that the Israeli military used artificial‑intelligence‑guided systems to deliberately target civilians in Gaza, opened in U.S. theatres this week, prompting renewed controversy over American military aid to Israel ahead of the November congressional elections.
What happened
“NAZA” debuted in U.S. cinemas after a record‑breaking 25‑minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, where it won a special jury prize. The film features testimony from Israeli military insiders who claim the army knowingly carried out strikes that would cause large civilian casualties. At the New York Film Festival premiere, a small group of protesters displayed images of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that the documentary’s release is likely to rekindle debate over U.S. military support for Israel, a topic that has divided Democrats and some Republicans. It also reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the film antisemitic, and a cabinet minister threatened to strip the filmmakers of their citizenship. Co‑director Yuval Abraham said he fears he may not be able to return to Israel.
What was said
Yuval Abraham told the Independent, “It cannot justify what you’ve seen in the film … the slaughter of so many civilians in Gaza, the massacres at food sites.” He also acknowledged the October 7 massacre as “completely unjustified.” Netanyahu described the documentary as antisemitic, and a culture‑minister is reported to have threatened citizenship revocation for the directors.
How it came about
The film’s producers, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, say they consulted over 100 sources with knowledge of Israeli targeting in Gaza, while the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have categorically denied the film’s claims and threatened to track down the soldiers who spoke to the filmmakers. Earlier Felo coverage documented the Israeli government’s attempts to strip the filmmakers of citizenship and the broader political backlash surrounding the documentary’s release.
Key facts
- The documentary “NAZA” opened in U.S. theatres after winning a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. (independent.co.uk)
- Israeli insiders in the film allege AI‑driven targeting that knowingly caused civilian casualties in Gaza. (independent.co.uk)
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the film antisemitic and a cabinet minister threatened citizenship revocation for the filmmakers. (independent.co.uk)
- The film’s co‑director Yuval Abraham said he fears he may not be able to return to Israel. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Israeli documentary ‘NAZA’ opens in the US, reigniting debate over the war in Gaza”
