Netanyahu announces action against Gaza documentary filmmakers

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to introduce legislation targeting people who he says defame Israeli soldiers, following intense controversy over NAZA, a documentary examining Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Netanyahu said he would pursue two government bills after the film, directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The documentary features anonymous interviews with Israeli military and intelligence personnel and presents allegations about civilian casualties during the Gaza war.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said the first proposed law would allow citizenship to be revoked from people who defame Israeli soldiers. A second measure, he said, would increase statutory damages available in defamation cases by 20 times.

“The first, to revoke the citizenship of anyone who defames soldiers,” Netanyahu said, according to Reuters. He also said the measures were intended to address what he described as damage to Israeli soldiers.

The announcement follows growing domestic controversy surrounding NAZA. The 80-minute film was shot secretly and draws on testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders. Its allegations include claims about how targeting decisions were made and how expected civilian casualties were considered during military operations. Israeli officials and the military reject the documentary’s allegations and have criticised its portrayal of the armed forces.

The film’s title refers to a military term used in connection with anticipated civilian casualties, according to information published by the Venice Biennale and other sources.

The controversy intensified after the documentary received a major award in Venice. The filmmakers have said they believe it is important for Israelis to see the film and engage with the account presented by its sources.

Netanyahu also cited other incidents when discussing the proposed legislation, including comments by former Israeli general and politician Yair Golan and a leaked video involving the alleged mistreatment of a Gaza detainee.

Israel’s military has separately been examining possible legal action connected to the documentary. Reuters reported that the filmmakers could not immediately be reached for comment on Netanyahu’s latest announcement.

The proposed legislation could face legal scrutiny. Reuters noted that Israel’s Supreme Court upheld a 2022 law allowing citizenship to be revoked in certain circumstances involving actions considered a breach of trust against the state.

The NAZA dispute has therefore moved beyond the film itself, placing questions about military conduct, defamation, citizenship and freedom of expression at the centre of a growing public debate in Israel.