Israel Calls NAZA Film 'Targeted Assassination' Attempt

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's English-language spokesperson, Doron Spielman, has described the documentary film NAZA as an attempt at a 'targeted assassination' of the State of Israel. Spielman stated on Wednesday, September 16, that no Israeli official possesses the complete version of the film, which he criticized as 'very effective slander.'

Spielman accused the film's creators, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, of intentionally releasing it in Italy, a country he claims collaborates with anti-Israel forces. He expressed frustration that Israeli officials were not given an opportunity to comment, and that their requests for a response to The Guardian, a co-producer, went unanswered. Spielman likened the tactic to that of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who he said can falsely claim mass civilian casualties.

He noted that while the film has caused a stir in Israel, it has not yet gained significant traction internationally, with limited viewership in the US and UK. Spielman believes Israel's strong reaction has bought them time before the film potentially gains wider international exposure, with a New York premiere scheduled for October 25.

Spielman explained that Israel's National Public Diplomacy Directorate, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry and the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, is preparing a comprehensive response. He highlighted that the IDF Chief of Staff, Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister have all commented on the film based on limited information. Spielman emphasized that the film's claims about artificial intelligence making kill decisions are a distortion, stating that AI is used to minimize collateral damage and that human operators make all operational decisions.

The film NAZA, reportedly shot in Tel Aviv during the Gaza war, features interviews with 24 alleged members of IDF Unit 8200, who reportedly provide accounts of the IDF's policy regarding civilian casualties during counter-terrorism operations. One focus is the alleged use of AI by Unit 8200 to recommend targets based on phone surveillance, even if it resulted in the deaths of a suspected terrorist's family members.