Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Israel’s attorney-general and security chiefs to investigate and prosecute soldiers featured anonymously in NAZA. The documentary contains allegations of systematic civilian killings in Gaza that the Israeli military rejects. The request adds legal pressure to a dispute that has already brought threats against the filmmakers ahead of Israel’s election.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the attorney-general and the heads of the military and Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, to investigate soldiers who spoke anonymously in NAZA. He also demanded their prosecution. His accusations included leaking sensitive information, criminal libel and damage to Israel’s diplomatic and security interests.[1], [2]
Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, NAZA contains interviews with two dozen soldiers and intelligence officials. They allege systematic mass civilian killings in Gaza and describe targeting methods involving artificial intelligence. The Israeli military rejects those allegations. The title derives from a military acronym referring to collateral damage. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last month and generated fierce debate in Israel.[1]
Abraham and Szor have faced accusations of treason and threats against themselves and their families, and have not returned to Israel. The government released a counter-documentary intended to discredit their film. Netanyahu and senior ministers had already promised legislation permitting citizenship to be removed from people who smeared Israeli soldiers. Reporters Without Borders and other organisations condemned the attacks on the filmmakers as pressure on the media ahead of the 27 October election.[1]
