Israeli Lawyer Criticizes Film 'Incidental Damage' for Ignoring October 7 Trauma

Attorney Einbar Yachzeli has criticized the Israeli film "Incidental Damage" for failing to portray the profound psychological toll and ongoing trauma experienced by Israelis since the October 7th Hamas attacks. Yachzeli argues that while the film aims to depict the cost of war, it omits the post-traumatic stress, loss, and existential fear that continue to affect millions of Israelis, including survivors, hostages, their families, soldiers, reservists, children, and entire communities.

She contends that the film presents a distorted view of the war and its "incidental damage," asserting that the full picture must include the severe psychological harm inflicted on Israelis. Yachzeli highlights that the Israeli military (IDF) invests significant resources and employs legal experts to meticulously examine and approve operational actions, striving to minimize civilian casualties and adhere to international law, even amidst a difficult war.

Yachzeli expresses dismay that Israeli filmmakers chose to bypass the immense "incidental" pain of the ongoing war, which continues to haunt many Israelis suffering from post-traumatic stress. Instead, she states, they opted to create a film that, in her view, exploits the suffering of Israelis, particularly the nation's youth and soldiers.