Israeli Documentary Accusing IDF of War Crimes Wins Venice Award

The documentary film "NAZA" (also known as "Collateral Damage"), by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, has received a special jury prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. The film is based on anonymous testimonies from Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel and presents serious accusations against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding actions in the Gaza Strip.

The film, which premiered in Venice to a lengthy 24.5-minute standing ovation, features testimonies from 24 soldiers and employees of the 8200 signals intelligence unit who served during the war. The filmmakers claim these testimonies indicate a systematic approach to strikes and the intentional infliction of widespread damage on Gaza's civilian population. A significant focus of the film is the alleged use of artificial intelligence in target selection.

Upon receiving the award, Yuval Abraham addressed the festival, reiterating accusations against Israel. He stated that, according to the Israeli intelligence officers he interviewed, the high number of civilian deaths in Gaza is systematic and a result of planning, not accidental. At a press conference, the directors also sharply criticized Israel's actions in the war. Abraham asserted that "silence can sometimes be complicity" and aimed to counter denial of what he termed "crimes" in Gaza. He also criticized Israeli media for allegedly ignoring or justifying Israel's actions.

Abraham also invoked the Holocaust, referencing Primo Levi and stating that the memory of the catastrophe should have universal meaning. He clarified that he was not equating the situation in Gaza with the Holocaust but highlighting what he sees as similar dehumanization mechanisms. Rachel Shore added that a significant portion of Israeli society openly claims there are no innocents in Gaza. She explained that filming the documentary's subjects on rooftops in Tel Aviv was intended to contrast Israel's ongoing normal life with the destruction in Gaza.

The IDF has rejected the film's claims as entirely unfounded. The military emphasized that the film relies on anonymous testimonies whose veracity cannot be verified, including the identities, positions, and knowledge of the individuals presented as soldiers or intelligence personnel. The IDF stated it operates in accordance with international law, targets terrorist organizations, and takes measures to minimize civilian harm. The military specifically denied the use of AI in making strike decisions, asserting that all targeting decisions are made by humans. The IDF also noted that any suspicions of international law violations are investigated through existing mechanisms.

The article concludes by suggesting that awarding the film an international prize turns its screening into a platform for accusing Israel, while the film's key assertions remain unproven and represent only the views of its creators and anonymous sources, which the IDF categorically denies.