Netanyahu condemns Venice-winning Gaza documentary as Israeli military considers legal action

Venice, Italy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned an award-winning documentary alleging that mass civilian deaths were routinely built into Israeli targeting decisions in Gaza, accusing its makers of contributing to global antisemitic incitement.

The film, “NAZA”, won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday after receiving a 25-minute standing ovation at its screening.

Film allegations and festival award

Directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, “NAZA” takes its title from an Israeli military term for expected “collateral casualties”.

The documentary is built around anonymous interviews with intelligence officers and soldiers involved in the war.

“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,” Abraham said in his acceptance speech on Saturday.

The filmmakers could not immediately be reached for comment.

Israeli response

“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.”

Netanyahu’s comments followed a statement by Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, who said the film constituted 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. It is based on blood libels, deliberate distortions of reality, and grave, false accusations against IDF soldiers and commanders,” Zamir said.

The military said Zamir had instructed the Military Advocate General, whose legal powers are confined within the military, “to examine and advance possible legal measures concerning the film and those involved in it.”

Gaza death toll

Gaza health authorities say more than 73,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel’s military campaign, which has left much of Gaza in ruins.