IDF chief orders legal review of Gaza documentary NAZA
Israel's military chief of staff has directed a legal assessment of the documentary NAZA and opened an inquiry into alleged leaks of classified material used in the film.
Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Eyal Zamir instructed a legal review of the documentary NAZA to determine whether legal action could be taken against its creators and participants. Zamir described the film as an "attack on the State of Israel" and said it defamed the military, though he noted he has not viewed the entire program. He also ordered an investigation into the alleged leakage of classified information used in the production.
NAZA, directed by Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, features testimonies from 24 former IDF soldiers and personnel who allege systematic civilian killings in Gaza. The documentary premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received the Grand Jury Prize. Its title is an acronym for the Israeli military term meaning “collateral damage.”
"We will use every tool at our disposal" – Zamir compared the film's allegations to historical blood libels.
IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin posted on X that the filmmakers should permit army representatives to view the full documentary so the claims can be addressed objectively.
The film was produced by Guardian News and Media, the publisher of the British newspaper The Guardian. In a statement to Haaretz, a company spokesman said the organization was "disturbed by the authoritarian response" in Israel and defended the documentary as the result of more than three years of investigative journalism, asserting that the testimonies are true and that the company will "robustly defend NAZA and the team behind it from any attacks or attempts at censorship."