Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a comprehensive investigation into the anonymous sources behind the award-winning documentary “NAZA,” which alleges that Israel’s military utilized artificial intelligence systems to target civilians in Gaza.
The film, based on testimony from 24 unnamed Israeli military insiders, claims the army employed these advanced targeting technologies to kill numerous civilians in the besieged territory. On Saturday evening, Netanyahu announced via social media platform X that he has ordered the heads of the military, the Shin Bet security agency, and the attorney general to prosecute the participants for alleged information security violations, criminal libel, and harm to national diplomatic and security interests.
“The film presents a false, misleading, and biased narrative that defames the State of Israel and the [Israeli military] internationally, severely damaging Israel’s standing,” Netanyahu stated.
The documentary, which takes its title from a Hebrew acronym for collateral damage, recently received a special jury prize at the Venice International Film Festival and was met with a 25-minute standing ovation. Its release has ignited a fierce political debate within Israel.
In response to the allegations, the Israeli military issued a statement last month categorically rejecting the claims, labeling some assertions as “absurd” and contradictory. The military insisted that all strike selection and approval processes are conducted exclusively by human personnel, adhering to established guidelines. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has also ordered an investigation into suspected leaks of classified information and stated that legal action against the film’s participants should be considered.
The controversy has escalated into accusations of treason against the filmmakers, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Both Netanyahu and Culture Minister Miki Zohar have threatened to revoke the directors’ Israeli citizenship. In a contrasting move, Tzipi Hotovely, head of Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate, recently presented certificates of recognition to the creators of a counter-documentary titled “NAZA: The Real Story.” This opposing film, supported by the Prime Minister’s Office, features testimony from soldiers refuting the original claims.
Meanwhile, 43 Israeli rights groups have rallied in defense of Abraham and Szor, denouncing the threats against them, according to Israel’s Channel 12 news.
The unrest stems from the conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, and other Palestinian groups attacked southern Israel, killing 1,39 people and taking approximately 240 hostages. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli military operations since then have killed at least 74,000 Palestinians, including 21,000 children.
A standing ovation at Venice and now legal threats from the PM? This film clearly struck a nerve.
Threatening to revoke citizenship from filmmakers is extreme. That feels like pure authoritarianism, not national defense.
The military says humans make all decisions, yet the documentary presents insider testimony. Who do we believe here?
Prosecuting whistleblowers for revealing alleged crimes seems like a dangerous precedent for any democracy.