International Media Praises Gaza Documentary Amidst Israeli Outcry

The documentary 'NAZA' (Accidental Damage), by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, has sparked controversy in Israel while receiving favorable reviews internationally. The film, which features testimonies from 24 IDF officers describing alleged Israeli policies to harm and kill civilians in Gaza, won the Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. Following its premiere, the film received a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation.

In Israel, the film has drawn sharp criticism. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called the documentary "blood libel" and ordered measures against it. Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar threatened to revoke the creators' citizenship, accusing them of "burning self-hatred" and seeking applause from "antisemites worldwide."

Several former hostages, including Eli-H Cohen, Rom Barslavsky, and Liri Elbag, have also spoken out against the film, denouncing it as "defamation, lies, and sick slander." Shimon Elkabatz, another former hostage, stated, "We do not share the same blood."

Conversely, international outlets have lauded 'NAZA.' The British newspaper The Guardian interviewed the filmmakers in Venice, where they discussed their approach to interviewing "small cogs in the system." Abraham noted the film's dark tone, stating, "This film, it's no coincidence it's all shot in the dark. We are in a very dark place now." When asked about a comparison between Gaza and the Holocaust made by a soldier in the film, Abraham clarified, "I am not saying or thinking the situation is similar, but we need to recognize the similarity in the patterns of dehumanization and killing."

The American magazine Variety described the film as a "heartbreaking exposé on Israeli genocide policy," while The Hollywood Reporter called it an "essential documentary on the IDF's efficient and immoral killing machine in Gaza."