Israeli Culture Minister Threatens to Revoke Citizenship of 'Nezah' Film Creators

The documentary film "Nezah," by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, has garnered significant international attention after winning the Critics' Award at the Venice Film Festival and receiving a nearly 25-minute standing ovation. Produced by The Guardian, the film features testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers from Unit 8200, detailing IDF operations during the war in Gaza. The soldiers describe involvement in alleged "war crimes and genocide" and discuss policies of "collateral damage," shelling, and assassinations, with creators Abraham and Shore characterizing these actions as deliberate destruction facilitated by artificial intelligence.

While the film has sparked global curiosity, it has ignited anger and threats in Israel, primarily from individuals who have not yet seen it. Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar accused the filmmakers of treason and vowed to pursue revoking their citizenship, a move lacking legal precedent for artistic expression. Zohar stated, "As Minister of Culture, I will act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators for treason against the state. The win of the despicable film 'Nezah' at the festival is shocking. The burning self-hatred of the creators, who are willing to harm their homeland to receive applause from the antisemites in the world, is incomprehensible and constitutes treason against the state." However, legal experts suggest revoking citizenship for such reasons is highly unlikely, as it's typically reserved for severe security threats or terrorism, and the film, being a British production, received no Israeli funding.

This is not the first time Abraham and Shore's work has drawn criticism from Zohar. They were also among the creators of "No Other Land," which won an Oscar for Best Documentary. That film documented the struggle of residents in Masafer Yatta against home demolitions. Zohar had previously attacked "No Other Land," calling it a distortion of Israel's image and an act of sabotage.

The article also delves into the backgrounds of the filmmakers. Abraham, 31, whose family has diverse origins, was discharged from military intelligence after two weeks for personal and political reasons. He has since engaged in activism, working with Palestinian and Israeli children and co-founding "Across the Wall," a platform translating Palestinian stories into Hebrew. Shore, 32, a director, cinematographer, and editor, has a background in history and learned filmmaking on the job. Both filmmakers reside in Jerusalem and view their work as a means of activism through journalism and cinema, aiming to move from individual incidents to understanding broader systemic issues.

The IDF has rejected the film's claims, criticizing its reliance on anonymous, unverifiable sources and asserting its commitment to international law and minimizing civilian harm. An IDF spokesperson stated, "The claims presented in the promo are untrue, and some are even presented in a distorted, falsified, and detached manner from the reality on the ground." The IDF invited the filmmakers to allow military representatives to view the full film to address the claims factually, emphasizing that the public discussion should be based on facts, not falsehoods.