Netanyahu Vows to Revoke Citizenship for IDF Critics Abroad

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that he has ordered the immediate preparation and advancement of legislation aimed at combating the defamation of IDF soldiers and the State of Israel. "We will protect our heroic fighters," Netanyahu stated, adding that the proposed laws would target individuals who slander IDF soldiers internationally.

"We will revoke citizenship for anyone who defames IDF soldiers abroad and hit them hard in their pocket," the Prime Minister declared. This initiative follows controversy surrounding the documentary film "NezA" ("Accidental Damage") by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Shore, which won a jury prize at the Venice Film Festival.

The film features testimonies from 24 soldiers and intelligence personnel regarding IDF combat mechanisms in the Gaza Strip. It includes a claim about an approved strike expected to cause an unusually high number of civilian casualties, a claim the IDF has vehemently denied as "an absolute lie."

The film has sparked sharp reactions within the political sphere. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar stated he would work to revoke the creators' citizenship, calling the dissemination of such content from an unauthorized source "treason." Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, also criticized Avraham, telling him "You have no right to return" and asserting the film harmed IDF soldiers and the country.

Since its Venice win, the film has become a focal point of public debate. While some bereaved families and public figures have criticized it, the filmmakers have received death threats. The Documentary Forum in Israel condemned the threats and defended the creators' right to address controversial topics. Concurrently, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed what he described as attempts to tarnish IDF soldiers and commanders through "baseless lies and manipulations," calling the effort to counter them a national and international mission.