Israeli Culture Minister Vows to Revoke Citizenship of Filmmakers Behind 'Nez'a'
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar announced plans to revoke the citizenship of filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore after their documentary "Nez'a" won an award at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which features testimonies from IDF soldiers about actions in Gaza, has drawn strong criticism from the minister.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Culture Minister Miki Zohar will seek to revoke citizenship of "Nez'a" filmmakers.
- The documentary "Nez'a" won the Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
- The film is based on testimonies from IDF soldiers about Gaza operations.
- Filmmakers are proud of the award and want Israelis to see the soldiers' accounts.
- The film's title refers to "accidental damage" in military operations.
Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport, Miki Zohar, announced on Sunday his intention to pursue the revocation of Israeli citizenship for Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, the creators of the documentary film "Nez'a." The decision follows the film's win of the Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. Zohar stated that he would "immediately act to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators for treason against the state," according to a statement released by his office. He described the film's victory as "appalling" and characterized the creators' "burning self-hatred" as an "unfathomable betrayal" of their homeland, aimed at gaining applause from antisemites worldwide.
The documentary, by Israeli directors who previously won an Oscar for "No Other Land" in 2025, received the jury prize at the Venice International Film Festival. The film's synopsis indicates it explores "the mechanisms behind the mass killing in Gaza, based on testimonies from 24 IDF soldiers and officers." The title "Nez'a" is derived from the military acronym for "accidental damage."
Abraham addressed the criticism the film has faced in Israel since its win, stating in a video that while they are proud of the award, the crucial aspect is the soldiers' testimonies. He emphasized that the soldiers speak Hebrew to reach the Israeli public and to convey their experiences in Gaza. Abraham highlighted the importance for Israeli society to confront actions taken in its name during the conflict.
"It is important that our society looks at the actions in Gaza and listens to the soldiers in the film. We will do everything to distribute this film as widely as possible in Israel, and I ask all the people attacking us now, who deny what is in the film, to watch it. First of all," Abraham urged.
The film garnered significant attention at its premiere last Thursday, where it received a historic 25-minute standing ovation from the audience. "Nez'a" is based on investigations previously published by Local Call, +972 Magazine, and The Guardian.
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