The Israeli documentary "NAZA" has been released in U.S. cinemas, featuring military insiders who allege civilian killings in Gaza. The film's U.S. release is expected to revive controversy over American aid to Israel, particularly with congressional elections approaching. The documentary makes serious claims about Israeli military actions in Gaza, which has sparked a strong reaction from Israeli officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced the film as antisemitic, while a cabinet minister has warned that the filmmakers' citizenship could be revoked. The Israeli military has issued a categorical denial of the film's findings and announced plans to track down the soldiers interviewed. The filmmakers have received threats, with co-director Yuval Abraham expressing concerns about his safety and potential inability to return to Israel.
The documentary "NAZA" presents interviews with military insiders who describe the use of AI-driven systems to target civilians in Gaza. According to the film, these systems process surveillance data, generate target lists of tens of thousands, and recommend specific buildings for strikes. However, the interviewees also acknowledge that the systems sometimes produce erroneous recommendations that lead to civilian deaths.
The Israeli military has responded to the allegations, stressing that target selection is overseen by intelligence officers and operational commanders. The military asserts that orders explicitly distinguish between militants and civilians and that efforts are made to minimize civilian harm. The film's investigative material draws on more than 100 confidential sources gathered between 2023 and 2025.
The documentary has been self-distributed in the United States, with screenings in New York and plans to expand to other cities, including Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle. A free streaming release is planned on The Guardian's website in late November. The film's co-directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have noted the film's minimalist style, which features night-time rooftop interviews with faces and voices obscured.
The Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Documentary Association have condemned threats against the filmmakers, while over 2,000 signatories, including Israeli directors, have pledged support for Abraham and Szor. The documentary highlights that U.S. military assistance to Israel has totaled $21.7 billion in the first two years of the Gaza conflict, a point the filmmakers stress to underscore the role of American taxpayers.
The release of "NAZA" has sparked renewed debate about U.S. military support for Israel, particularly ahead of congressional elections. The film's allegations and the Israeli military's response have brought attention to the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of international aid. The filmmakers' efforts to shed light on these issues have been recognized by supporters, who see the documentary as an important contribution to the conversation.
Key points
- The documentary "NAZA" alleges Israeli forces used AI-driven systems to target civilians in Gaza.
- The Israeli military has denied the film's findings, asserting that efforts are made to minimize civilian harm.
- U.S. military assistance to Israel has totaled $21.7 billion in the first two years of the Gaza conflict.
