44 Israeli Rights Groups Back Filmmakers Targeted by Threats

Forty-four Arab and Jewish human rights and civil organizations in Israel have declared solidarity with "Nuseirat" film directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, following a wave of incitement and threats against them. Among the signatories are Adalah, B'Tselem, Physicians for Human Rights, Standing Together, Breaking the Silence, Combatants for Peace, Ir Amim, Bimkom, Yesh Din, Sikkuy-Aufer, and the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum.

The organizations called on Israeli authorities to halt the incitement and threats of violence against the directors and to refrain from any actions aimed at prosecuting them or their sources. The statement asserted that the official reactions to the film and the threats against its creators are "befitting of dictatorial regimes."

They strongly rejected calls to revoke Abraham and Szor's citizenship, emphasizing that "citizenship is not a prize granted by the regime or government, but a fundamental right for each and every one of us." The groups stressed that freedom of expression and press are integral to the struggle for democracy, warning that persecution and attempts to silence voices do not stop at a single person or issue.

While noting that most signatories had not yet seen the film, the organizations highlighted the critical importance of its subject matter, the Israeli "open-fire policy" in Gaza, stating it cannot be ignored. They also called for serious investigations into suspicions arising from the "enormous numbers of civilian deaths and serious testimonies accumulated during the war." The groups urged allowing journalists access to Gaza for independent and impartial investigations to uncover the truth, assign responsibility, and draw lessons.

The film "Nuseirat" reportedly examines the Israeli military's actions during the October 7th Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza, specifically focusing on the "open-fire policy" and civilian casualties.