PR Guru Roni Rehob Clashes With Activist Yariv Oppenheimer Over Gaza War Documentary

A heated debate erupted on Israel's Channel 12 between public relations expert Roni Rehob and left-wing activist Yariv Oppenheimer concerning a controversial documentary film that presents harsh claims against the IDF's operations in the Gaza Strip. Rehob launched a strong defense of the Israeli military, calling it "the most ethical army" and condemning the filmmakers for releasing such a critical film during wartime, especially after the October 7th Hamas attack. Rehob stated, "Abroad you will receive compliments and the Oscar, but in the State of Israel you will receive scorn for life. As far as I am concerned, you are not citizens of Israel. My wife and I attended 14 funerals, shame on you and it's better we don't see you on the street."

Oppenheimer, in response, cautioned against infringing on freedom of speech, arguing that revoking citizenship based on a film, even if it were entirely false, is unacceptable. He acknowledged the October 7th massacre as a crime against humanity but asserted that the high number of civilian casualties, including children and the elderly, in Gaza indicates a significant erosion of adherence to the principle of "purity of arms" within the IDF. Oppenheimer suggested the film presents a disturbing picture that necessitates an honest assessment of whether the government is upholding the IDF's moral standing.

The controversy surrounding the documentary, titled "Nez'a," has prompted the Israeli Film Council to convene an emergency meeting. The council members will re-examine the criteria and scoring system used for film festivals that represent Israel internationally.