Threats against the Israeli directors of the documentary NAZA have escalated following the film’s recent acclaim and political fallout. NAZA, an 80-minute documentary produced by the Guardian, examines the impact of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza civilians. The film takes its name from an acronym reportedly used by Israel’s intelligence service to indicate anticipated civilian casualties in Gaza strikes. It won the special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation that lasted 25 minutes, a festival record.
Shortly after the award, the film’s directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, faced intense criticism and hostility from Israeli government officials and far-right activists. Culture Minister Miki Zohar called for the revocation of their Israeli citizenship, accusing them of “treason against the state.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the directors as “a disgrace,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the film as “intolerable,” stating it unfairly portrayed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as war criminals.
On the military front, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir declared that the army would not allow its soldiers to be targeted by what he described as “lies and blood libels” and vowed to use “every tool at our disposal” against the filmmakers. Reports indicate the IDF has initiated a leak investigation related to the film, with the domestic security agency Shin Bet reportedly involved, pending formal requests from military prosecutors.
Far-right commentators and activists have amplified threats against Abraham and Szor. Yehuda Schlesinger, a journalist for the ultranationalist Channel 14, called for the directors to be “pursued” or “hunted” and barred from returning to Israel. Another far-right activist encouraged protests directed at the directors’ family members and associates, even sharing personal information in attempts to mobilize harassment. A mural defaming Abraham and Szor appeared in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod, featuring crosshairs, horns, swastikas, and the word “traitors.” Subsequently, a video circulated showing the mural being repainted to replace “traitors” with “heroes.”
In response to the growing threats, 43 Israeli human rights organisations, including Peace Now, Adalah, and B’Tselem, issued a joint statement urging authorities to halt incitement and threats against the filmmakers and to refrain from prosecuting them or their sources. The groups characterized the institutional response to the film as resembling those of authoritarian regimes and demanded a thorough investigation into the harassment campaign.
More than 1,500 Israeli filmmakers also signed a petition defending freedom of expression and expressing solidarity with Abraham and Szor. The petition stressed the importance of artistic and journalistic work in reflecting society and fostering debate, even regarding contentious subjects.
In interviews, Abraham voiced concern about the hostile environment, saying that Israel is his home and the only place he wants to live, but he expressed fear that the backlash might prevent his return. The directors previously won an Oscar for a 2024 documentary focusing on Palestinian resistance in the occupied West Bank.
The developing situation highlights the tensions within Israeli society surrounding the film’s critical perspective on military actions in Gaza and raises questions about freedom of expression amid ongoing conflict.