Hostage Survivor Elia Cohen Slams "Accidental<bos>" Film Creators

Elia Cohen, a former hostage survivor, has vehemently criticized the creators of the documentary "Accidental N.G.O.", Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, following their win of a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. In an angry video posted online, Cohen urged the public not to remain silent about the film's portrayal of IDF soldiers, stating, "They cannot humiliate my brothers and the people who fought to bring me home."

The controversy surrounding "Accidental N.G.O." continues to escalate, with Cohen now launching a sharp attack against its directors. He described himself as "unbelievably angry" since the film's Venice win and its creators' messages on stage. Cohen expressed disbelief that Abraham and Shore could return to Israel and move freely, calling the film a "promotional film" about the country.

While acknowledging the creators' legal right to express their views, Cohen insisted that the Israeli public must react and publicly condemn their actions. "As a people, we cannot let this pass," he declared, suggesting public protests like posting the creators' photos to make them feel ashamed when walking in public.

Cohen specifically addressed the soldiers involved in hostage rescue operations, asserting that they should not be humiliated by the film. He warned that the film's messages could incite hatred against Israelis and Jews globally, potentially leading to physical attacks in Europe. He called for legal protest methods and asked for ideas from the public.

"Accidental N.G.O.", an 80-minute British-produced documentary by Israelis Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, is based on anonymous testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel. It presents serious allegations regarding target selection, the use of artificial intelligence, and civilian casualties during the Gaza conflict. The film received a standing ovation and the special jury prize at Venice. Abraham and Shore, who also worked on the Oscar-winning "No Other Land," heavily criticized Israel and the IDF's conduct during the war at the festival.