Story perspectives

Israeli Minister Threatens Revoking Citizenship of “NAZA” Directors

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 11:12 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatened to revoke the citizenship of documentary directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
The documentary “NAZA” won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on 12 September 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the documentary “shocking” and “intolerable,” accusing it of depicting IDF war crimes.
Over 1,000 Israeli filmmakers and 43 human-rights groups signed petitions defending the directors and denouncing the threats.

History

Historical Context

On 8 February 1983 the Kahan Commission, led by Justice Yitzhak Kahan, found Defense Minister Ariel Sharon personally responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacre and compelled his resignation. The report triggered a 400,000-person Peace Now protest, establishing civilian oversight of the military. Culture Minister Miki Zohar’s threat to strip filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor of citizenship revives that pattern of pressure on artistic dissent.

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Story summary

Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatened to revoke the citizenship of documentary directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
The documentary “NAZA” won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on 12 September 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the documentary “shocking” and “intolerable,” accusing it of depicting IDF war crimes.
Over 1,000 Israeli filmmakers and 43 human-rights groups signed petitions defending the directors and denouncing the threats.

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