Iranian Newspaper Praises Israeli Film on Gaza Amid Domestic Controversy
An Iranian newspaper, Sazandegi, identified with the reformist camp, featured the Israeli documentary "No Other Land" on its front page following its win at the Venice Film Festival. The newspaper ran the headline "Systematic Massacre" and published a photo of Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor holding their award.
The 80-minute film, developed over nearly three years of research, reportedly examines the IDF's attack and intelligence mechanisms in the Gaza Strip and the issue of "collateral damage." The Iranian report claims the film delves into "what happens behind the scenes of the killing of Gaza residents," detailing Israeli security forces' decision-making processes based on dozens of testimonies from military and intelligence personnel.
The coverage in Tehran also focused on the significant public and political backlash the film has faced in Israel. Iranian journalists highlighted that the documentary has become a highly contentious topic in Israel, emphasizing the threats directed at its creators, including Culture Minister Miki Zohar's statement about revoking their citizenship and criminal complaints filed against them by senior government officials.
Even before its Venice win, "No Other Land" generated considerable controversy. The IDF has strongly rejected the film's claims, labeling them as distorted and unverifiable testimonies. Meanwhile, hundreds of filmmakers in Israel and globally have signed petitions in support of the directors.
