Israeli Journalist Defends Controversial Gaza Film Amidst Criticism

Filmmaker Yuval Abraham has responded to criticism regarding perceived shortcomings in his documentary "NAZ" (Nizak Agabi, or Collateral Damage), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Critics, including journalist Raviv Drucker, have questioned the film's focus on alleged Israeli military misconduct in Gaza, its limited engagement with the October 7th Hamas attacks, and its use of footage from the hostage crisis. Abraham, however, framed his responses as a critique of the Israeli press, which he believes has largely ignored events in Gaza and is now nitpicking a film many haven't seen.

Abraham stated that the film adheres to high journalistic standards, with evidence verified by The Guardian. He expressed a desire for Israelis to hear testimonies from fellow Israelis about soldiers' actions, yet noted that the film has not been widely screened in Israel, nor is it available for public viewing or purchase. Furthermore, the IDF confirmed that no questions were submitted for comment prior to the film's release, a basic step in investigative journalism that was not taken.

The article suggests that the film's success, particularly its award at Venice, is partly due to a calculated campaign leveraging anti-Israel sentiment among European cultural elites. The title "NAZ," a potential play on "Nazi" and "Nizak Agabi" (collateral damage), is seen as sensationalist. The author argues that if Abraham truly intended a dialogue within Israel, the film should have premiered there, addressing the October 7th events and the subsequent "Iron Swords" war, acknowledging the possibility of war crimes and the need for proper investigation.

The piece concludes by acknowledging Abraham's courage and his past work exposing injustices against Palestinians. However, it criticizes his approach for alienating the Israeli public by presenting accusations of "systematic mass killing" without sufficient context or consideration for the current Israeli psyche, which is deeply affected by the October 7th attacks and a pervasive sense of vulnerability. The author posits that while critical examination of events is necessary, it becomes complex when dealing with a public experiencing a " Holocaust consciousness."