Israeli Culture Minister Threatens to Revoke Citizenship Over Gaza Film

Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar has fiercely criticized the filmmakers of "Nezah," a documentary that won an award at the Venice Film Festival and is considered an Oscar contender. The film, which features testimonies from Israeli soldiers about operations in Gaza, includes accusations of "war crimes and genocide." Zohar, speaking on Sunday, vowed to "immediately work to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable filmmakers for their betrayal of the state." He further stated on social media that the film's success was "shocking" and attributed it to the filmmakers' "self-hatred" and desire for applause from "anti-Semites worldwide." Zohar also linked the controversy to his efforts to reform cinema funding, aiming to prevent Israeli taxpayer money from supporting films that "abuse Israeli soldiers and the State of Israel."

However, the legal feasibility of Zohar's threat appears limited. Revoking citizenship in Israel is an exceptional measure typically reserved for cases of terrorism or significant security threats, and there is no known precedent for its use in response to artistic expression. The film's title, "Nezah," is derived from the Hebrew military acronym for "collateral damage."

The documentary, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, received a 25-minute standing ovation at its premiere in Venice, the longest of the festival this year. Abraham told Reuters that the film showcases a targeting system designed to hit individuals in civilian areas, sometimes resulting in "collateral damage" that can destroy entire neighborhoods. The filmmakers aimed to highlight the contrast between daily life in Israel and the destruction in Gaza, located about 60 kilometers away. "Nezah" was produced in collaboration with The Guardian and did not receive initial funding from Israeli sources. It includes testimonies from 24 soldiers from Unit 8200 regarding their experiences during the war in Gaza.