Israeli Film 'Nez'A' Wins Award at Venice Film Festival Amid Controversy

The Israeli documentary "Nez'A," directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has received an award at the Venice Film Festival. The film, whose title is an acronym for "accidental damage," is based on anonymous testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers who served during the recent conflict in Gaza. It presents serious allegations regarding the Israeli military's targeting practices and the impact on civilians in the Strip.

Following its premiere, which reportedly garnered a 25-minute standing ovation, the filmmakers were critical of Israel during a press conference. Abraham stated that silence can be complicity in wrongdoing and aimed to counter the denial of what he termed "crimes" in Gaza. He also criticized the Israeli media for largely ignoring or justifying the events in Gaza. Abraham drew parallels between the Holocaust and the situation in Gaza, emphasizing that "all human lives are sacred, including those of Palestinians in Gaza," while clarifying he did not equate the events but identified similar dehumanization mechanisms.

Szor commented on Israeli society, noting that "a large part of Israeli society loudly says there are no innocents in Gaza." She explained that filming interviewees on Tel Aviv rooftops was intended to highlight the contrast between life in Israel and the destruction in Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a strong rejection of the film's claims, stating they are "completely rejected." The IDF asserted that the film relies on anonymous testimonies whose sources, roles, and knowledge cannot be verified. The military reiterated its commitment to operating according to international law, targeting terrorist organizations, and making efforts to minimize civilian harm. Regarding allegations of artificial intelligence use in targeting, the IDF clarified that all strike decisions are made by humans, not AI, and that individual suspicions of legal violations are investigated by military enforcement mechanisms.