Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a new documentary alleging that mass civilian deaths in Gaza were routinely factored into Israeli military targeting decisions, calling it part of a wave of global “incitement” against Jews.
The documentary, NAZA, directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. It also received a 25-minute standing ovation when it was screened at the festival on Thursday.
The film takes its title from an Israeli military term for expected “collateral casualties” and features anonymous interviews with intelligence officers and soldiers who were involved in the war.
“It’s shocking. We are fighting global antisemitic incitement and when it comes from within us it is intolerable,” Netanyahu said in a video posted on Telegram.
“And now two Israeli directors portraying the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) as war criminals receive applause at the Venice festival,” he added.
Netanyahu’s comments came after Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir also criticised the film, describing it as an attack on the state of Israel.
“Based on what has been published thus far, this is not a film offering criticism of the IDF, nor is it an attempt to establish the truth,” Zamir said.
He accused the filmmakers of relying on “blood libels, deliberate distortions of reality, and grave, false accusations” against Israeli soldiers and commanders.
The Israeli military said Zamir had instructed the Military Advocate General to examine and pursue possible legal measures concerning the film and those involved in making it. The filmmakers could not immediately be reached for comment.
Speaking after the film won its award, Abraham defended the documentary and said denying alleged crimes only allowed them to continue.
“We believe that the denial of a crime is what helps it persist and this is why it is especially important for us that Israelis watch this film, it is our country that is doing these crimes,” he said.
Gaza health authorities say more than 73,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed during Israel’s military campaign, which has left much of the territory in ruins.
The war began after Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians. Israel says it has taken extensive measures to minimise civilian casualties while fighting Hamas militants, who it says operate from locations including hospitals, schools and shelters. Hamas denies using civilians as human shields.
