Israel's Culture Minister Threatens Citizenship Revocation Over Controversial Film

Israel's military, the IDF, has vehemently denied claims made in a controversial documentary film titled 'NAZA,' calling a specific segment 'absolute lies' with no factual basis. The film, which received support from JW Films and The Guardian, reportedly features an unnamed individual alleging that an operation in Gaza was authorized to eliminate a single militant, resulting in the deaths of up to 500 civilians. The IDF stated that such large-scale operations were never planned or approved, and that the filmmakers fabricated the story to promote the film. The military also noted that the identity and affiliation of the speaker in the film could not be verified.

Adding to the controversy, Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar has threatened to initiate proceedings to revoke the citizenship of the film's creators. Zohar labeled the film "treason" for allegedly discrediting Israel and its soldiers internationally. He referenced his ongoing reform of cinema funding, intended to prevent state support for anti-Israel productions, expressing dismay that 'NAZA' received public funds. While Zohar's statement is a strong political stance, the legal process for revoking citizenship is complex and not immediate.

The documentary, by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, won a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on September 12. It was the only documentary among the 21 contenders for the festival's top prize. The film, which runs for 80 minutes, is based on confidential interviews with 24 former soldiers and intelligence officers, conducted at night on Tel Aviv rooftops. It delves into target selection algorithms, AI surveillance, and the calculation of potential civilian casualties during military operations. The filmmakers maintain they are examining systemic principles of warfare, not isolated incidents.

The title 'NAZA' is derived from the Hebrew acronym for 'collateral damage,' referring to acceptable civilian losses during counter-terrorism operations. The project's journalistic basis includes investigations published by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call between 2023 and 2025. Public debate surrounding the film had already intensified in Israel prior to its release due to its sensitive content and the filmmakers' reputation. Abraham and Shore previously collaborated on 'No Other Land,' which won an Oscar in 2025.