The documentary "NAZA" premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in mid-September, garnering a 25-minute standing ovation and the Special Jury Prize. The film, directed by Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham, has sparked controversy in Israel, with Culture Minister Miki Zohar condemning the filmmakers. Zohar called Szor and Abraham "traitors" and suggested they should lose their citizenship. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed disapproval of the film.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has dismissed the documentary's claims about their conduct in Gaza, labelling it a "distorted, misleading and disingenuous picture." According to the IDF, the film contains significant factual inaccuracies and relies on "manipulative misrepresentations of reality." The documentary features interviews with 24 unnamed military and intelligence personnel who detail internal processes for selecting targets during the Gaza conflict. They allege that high civilian casualties were occasionally considered in target selection.
In response, the IDF insists it never planned attacks anticipating civilian deaths and disputes accusations that artificial intelligence was used in target selection. The military asserts that all targets were decided by people. The IDF also accuses the filmmakers of ignoring crucial details, including the involvement of legal advisors in attack reviews and measures taken to protect civilians. The film allegedly overlooks Hamas's attacks on Israel on 7 October, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages.
Various human rights organisations and a UN commission have accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, with reports indicating at least 74,000 Palestinian fatalities since the war began. Human rights groups, including B'Tselem, have voiced their support for the filmmakers. The documentary has brought attention to the complexities of the Gaza conflict and the civilian casualties that have occurred.
Speaking at the Venice awards ceremony, co-director Yuval Abraham highlighted the importance of getting Israelis to watch the film. Abraham stated, "We believe that the denial of a crime is what helps it persist." Szor and Abraham are known for their previous work on "No Other Land," which won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2025.
The documentary, titled "NAZA," meaning collateral damage in Hebrew, reflects the military term used to estimate civilian casualties in attacks. Following its festival debut, the documentary is now being screened in cinemas worldwide. The film's release has sparked a renewed debate about the IDF's conduct in Gaza and the accountability of military forces in conflict zones.
The controversy surrounding "NAZA" has brought attention to the role of documentary filmmaking in shedding light on sensitive topics and promoting accountability. As the film continues to be screened globally, it is likely to remain a topic of discussion and debate in the realms of international relations, human rights, and journalism.
Key points
- The Israel Defense Forces has dismissed the documentary's claims about their conduct in Gaza.
- The documentary features interviews with 24 unnamed military and intelligence personnel.
- Various human rights organisations and a UN commission have accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.
