Israeli Filmmakers' Venice Award Sparks Outrage Over 'Defamatory' Gaza Documentary

A documentary film titled "N.Z.A." (Incidental Damage), which recently won an award at the Venice Film Festival, has ignited a significant public outcry in Israel and online. The film, created by Israeli filmmakers, features an anonymous testimony alleging that the Israeli military approved an attack in the Gaza Strip with the potential to kill approximately 500 civilians. These serious claims have drawn furious responses from journalists, advocacy activists, and have been met with a sweeping official denial from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Channel 12 reporter Almog Boker shared a pointed video filmed near the border fence at Kibbutz Zikim, the site of the October 7th Hamas infiltration. In his accompanying post, Boker expressed his inability to remain silent about the "irreparable damage" being done by two Israelis globally, criticizing them for omitting the October 7th massacre from their narrative. He presented the "other side" of "incidental damage," showing the border area and emphasizing the terrorists' intent to harm residents without mercy, highlighting the role of local security teams in repelling the attack. Boker explained the operational dilemma of confronting terror groups using civilian areas as shields, stating that while Israel makes every effort to avoid civilian casualties, sometimes there is no choice. He stressed the ongoing threat from Hamas, which he said is preparing for future attacks.

Druze-Israeli social media activist Marwan Jaber also joined the criticism, releasing a video directly addressing the filmmakers. Jaber, a 17-year-old, called the film "fake news" and an act of "betrayal and immense shame," particularly during wartime. He argued that the filmmakers' actions, which he believes spread false claims against Israel while terrorist organizations aim to destroy the country, are unacceptable. Jaber called for legal action against those who betray the state by spreading falsehoods during wartime, asserting his commitment to fighting for Israel's truth globally.

Advocacy activist Yosef Haddad commented on the controversy, emphasizing the need for a national public relations strategy. He contrasted the anti-Israel film, which he claims fuels antisemitism with unverified accusations, with Israeli productions that expose the horrors of October 7th. Haddad called for a strong, proactive Ministry of Public Diplomacy to counter such narratives.

The IDF issued a formal and comprehensive denial of the film's allegations regarding the approval of an attack with a potential for 500 civilian casualties, labeling the claims as false and baseless. The military stated that testimonies were given by anonymous individuals not authorized to discuss military strategy, that target selection is human-driven, not computerized, and that forces operate in accordance with the law to minimize civilian harm. The IDF also noted that any claims of command violations are investigated by independent inquiry mechanisms.