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Israeli Officials Honor Filmmakers Countering Controversial Gaza Documentary
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Film Creators Honored by Israeli Officials
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that National Public Diplomacy Directorate head Tzipi Hotovely presented certificates of appreciation to filmmakers Ariel Orbuch, Roy Danino, and Hagai Gutman for their work on *NAZA, The True Story*. Hotovely highlighted the film’s “tens of millions of views” and its role in exposing Hamas’s crimes and the use of civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Original NAZA Documentary and Allegations
*NAZA*—created by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor—premiered at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 10. The documentary alleges that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) routinely incorporated projections of large civilian death counts into targeting decisions during the Gaza war, using the IDF term “NAZA” for anticipated collateral casualties. It draws on testimony from intelligence officers and soldiers, challenging official accounts of the military’s targeting practices.
Official Responses
The IDF issued a statement on X/Twitter rejecting the documentary’s claims, describing the information as “completely false.” It asserted that the military has never planned or approved a strike in Gaza anticipating the death of 500 civilians or any comparable figure.
Verbatim Quote
- “I thank the filmmakers for their initiative, assertiveness, and creativity. You embody our remarkable civilian spirit, and I am proud to give you my support and recognition on behalf of the Directorate and the State of Israel,” — Tzipi Hotovely, National Public Diplomacy Directorate head
Public Reaction
Graffiti labeling Abraham and Szor as “traitors” appeared on a wall in Ashdod on September 15, 2026, reflecting heightened domestic tensions surrounding the competing films and the broader debate over the IDF’s conduct in Gaza.