IDF Chief of Staff Orders Legal Action Over Gaza Documentary 'Naza'

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir convened a consultation on Monday regarding the documentary film 'Naza,' attended by senior military officials including the Deputy Chief of Staff, head of operations, military advocate general, and commander of the Air Force. Zamir asserted that the film represents a deliberate attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the Israeli military and the State of Israel, characterizing it as based on "bloody slander, deliberate distortion of reality, and false and dangerous accusations against IDF soldiers and commanders." He emphasized that the IDF operates according to international law and its own values, striving to minimize harm to non-combatants with casualty ratios significantly lower than those of other global armies.

Zamir stated that 'Naza' is not a critique or an attempt at truth-seeking but rather a dangerous effort to delegitimize Israel's right to self-defense and endanger its soldiers and commanders by adopting anti-Israel narratives. He stressed the need for a broad national and international media effort, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Justice, and the national media system, to counter the film's claims.

Following the discussion, Zamir ordered several steps. A multidisciplinary team, led by the head of planning, will be formed to develop methods for addressing false claims against the IDF, involving Israeli and international experts. The military advocate general was instructed to explore and pursue possible legal actions against the film and those involved, citing the potential impact of false accusations on the personal security of soldiers and state security. Additionally, an examination will be conducted into information security aspects and potential involvement of parties in leaking classified materials used in the film's production.

The documentary 'Naza,' directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, recently won the Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which is based on testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers and officers, reportedly examines the "mechanisms behind mass killings in Gaza." The title 'Naza' is derived from the Hebrew military acronym for "collateral damage." One unnamed officer is quoted in the film stating, "There was systematic mass killing."