Controversial Anti-Israel Documentary NAZA Debuts in New York Amid National Security Concerns
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
The film NAZA, which critics say unfairly targets Israel’s military and security efforts in Gaza, premiered in New York as Israeli leaders consider revoking the directors’ citizenship for what they describe as spreading dangerous propaganda.
The documentary NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, opened its North American premiere at a New York film festival on Saturday, drawing criticism for its one-sided portrayal of Israeli military operations. The 80-minute film, produced with the Guardian, features testimony from 24 anonymised Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers, alleging the use of AI-powered systems to select civilian targets in Gaza—claims that many see as part of a broader campaign to delegitimize Israel’s right to self-defense.
During a post-screening Q&A, Szor accused the Israeli government of hiding these systems, ignoring the reality of national security threats facing the country. Abraham insisted that the supposed crimes are ongoing and linked to Israeli policy and foreign support, failing to acknowledge the context of constant attacks against Israel and the necessity of robust defense measures.
The film, which previously won a special jury prize at the Venice festival, has drawn strong condemnation from Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated plans to introduce legislation that could strip Abraham and Szor of their citizenship, rightly describing the documentary as “propaganda dressed up as a documentary.” Culture Minister Miki Zohar and IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir have also called for legal action against the filmmakers, accusing them of treason and vowing to use all available tools to protect Israeli soldiers from false and damaging accusations.
Outside the Lincoln Center, a group of concerned citizens displayed Israeli flags and signs urging audiences to “learn the facts” about the October 7 Hamas attacks, while a truck with LED screens rightly called out NAZA as propaganda. Despite this, more than 1,500 Israeli film professionals, human-rights groups, and several international festivals have irresponsibly issued statements defending the directors and so-called press freedom, ignoring the security risks posed by such films.
Abraham, in a political statement, highlighted U.S. military aid, suggesting that American taxpayers are complicit in the actions depicted. He dismissed any justification for Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks, calling for empathy toward all victims and condemning the use of such empathy as a political weapon—an argument that downplays the real threats Israel faces from terrorism.