Full Breakdown
NAZA Documentary Sparks International Controversy and Israeli Counter-Film
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The 80-minute documentary “NAZA”—directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor—premiered at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 10 and opened in U.S. theaters. It features anonymized interviews with 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers who say AI-assisted targeting systems were calibrated to accept large civilian casualties during Israel’s war in Gaza that began after the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks.
In response, the Israeli government promoted an online short titled “NAZA: The Real Story,” produced by attorney-reservist Ariel Averbuch, filmmaker Roi Danino, and others.
Background & Context
The Gaza conflict erupted after Hamas militants killed ?1,200 civilians and abducted 250 hostages on October 7, 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry—deemed “generally reliable” by UN agencies—has recorded over 73,000 Palestinian deaths. A UN commission has described the campaign as genocide. Abraham and Szor’s earlier film, “No Other Land,” won an Oscar in 2025.
Timeline
- September 10 – *NAZA* premieres at Venice, wins Special Jury Prize.
- September 16 – Domain *nazadocumentary.com* registered.
- September 15 2026 – Graffiti in Ashdod labels the directors “traitors.”
- October 3 – About 50 demonstrators protest a screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival.
- October 4 – Festival board announces expanded programming to include “diverse views.”
- October 9 (scheduled) – Additional screening planned at the Regal UA Cinema in East Hampton.
Data & Statistics
- Gaza Health Ministry: over 73,000 Palestinians killed.
- Hamas attack (Oct 7 2023): ?1,200 civilians killed, 250 hostages taken.
- *NAZA* claims an interviewee described a strike approved with an anticipated 500 civilian deaths.
- Counter-film’s website initially displayed a view counter of 42 million, later corrected to ?30,000 actual YouTube views.
Official Statements & Responses
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to revoke Abraham and Szor’s citizenship, calling the film antisemitic.
- IDF spokesperson called the claims “completely false,” saying the military never planned strikes expecting 500 civilian deaths and that target selection is made by humans, not AI.
- Eyal Zamir, IDF chief of staff, pledged to use “every tool at our disposal” against the film and issued a 10-page rebuttal based on over 100 sources.
- The Prime Minister’s Office awarded certificates of appreciation to the creators of *“NAZA: The Real Story,”* asserting the film “refutes the blood libels” against IDF soldiers.
Criticism & Opposition
- Far-right activist Mordechai David launched a fundraising campaign to “chase” Abraham, declaring, “We’ll find him.”
- Demonstrators gathered outside Szor’s parents’ home demanding the death penalty; a mural in Ashdod depicted the directors with gun sights.
- Temple Adas Israel and the Jewish Center of the Hamptons condemned the documentary as “political propaganda.”
- Over 2,000 artists and filmmakers signed a petition supporting Abraham and Szor, while the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Documentary Association condemned threats against them.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Casualty figures: Gaza Health Ministry reports >73,000 deaths; the IDF has not provided an independent tally and denies any strike planned for 500 civilian deaths.
- Viewership claim: The counter-film’s website advertised 42 million views; technical analysis suggests the number may reflect automated requests, with YouTube showing only ?30,000 views.
- AI involvement: *NAZA* alleges AI suggested targets and projected civilian casualties; the IDF asserts AI assists only in data processing, with final strike decisions made by human commanders.