Israel Shifts Strategy on 'Nezar' Film Amid Free Speech Concerns

Israeli public diplomacy professionals, primarily within the military and the Foreign Ministry, are recommending a de-escalation of the media profile surrounding the film 'Nezar.' This marks a significant change from the initial aggressive stance, with advice to avoid proactive attacks and briefings against the film's creators at this stage. Professional assessments indicate the film has not yet garnered substantial global media attention or prompted significant reactions from foreign governments.

Instead, the strong Israeli responses have inadvertently shifted the discourse from the film's content to accusations that Israel is infringing upon freedom of expression. An internal IDF communication noted, "Currently, the aggressive responses from the State of Israel are causing the discourse to shift from the film itself to responses accusing Israel of not allowing freedom of expression." Consequently, the directive is to "lower the media profile" and refrain from proactive briefings, emphasizing a "methodical and planned approach" rather than reactive measures.

This contrasts with the initial strategy earlier in the week, where national public diplomacy bodies, the Foreign Ministry, and the IDF Spokesperson's Unit prepared for a large-scale international campaign to counter the film's claims. Senior officials had described Israel as "deep in the event" and engaged in efforts to "repel and refute the lies." Following this, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi convened a special discussion and ordered a review of legal actions against the film's creators, alongside an examination of information security aspects and the potential leak of classified materials for its production. Halevi characterized the film's allegations as "blood libels, a deliberate distortion of reality, and false and severe accusations."

Reports also emerged that IDF elements had approached the Shin Bet security agency to assist in investigating the film, partly due to concerns about classified information. The Shin Bet had not yet formally joined the investigation, awaiting an official request after legal review. The political sphere also became embroiled, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticizing Democrats for praising the film, which he claimed slanders IDF soldiers as war criminals. However, diplomats have suggested that the disparity between the professional approach and political statements is damaging Israel's international standing, with some alleging that the Prime Minister's office is fueling the internal debate for political and electoral gain. These diplomats stated, "One hand seeks to lower the profile, the second hand sends the head of the Shin Bet to investigate and ministers to demand the creators' citizenship be revoked," concluding that "Israel is trapped between what is internationally correct for it and what is electorally correct for politicians."