Anti-Israel Film 'NezA' to Screen in Europe Amidst Domestic Outcry

Despite significant public backlash in Israel, the controversial film 'NezA' (Accidental Damage) is set to be screened in several European cinemas starting next month. One screening in the Netherlands is scheduled for October 7, 2026, a date of national mourning in Israel. This comes as Israel's Minister of Culture, Miki Zohar, has requested the head of the Shin Bet security agency to launch an official investigation into the film's creators, Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Zohar is also exploring the possibility of revoking their Israeli citizenship.

The film, which won a special jury prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival, has drawn criticism for allegedly presenting a false narrative against Israeli soldiers in Gaza. The Venice Film Festival's official synopsis stated that 'NezA' 'exposes' the systems behind what it terms the 'calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza' by Israel. The 80-minute film, produced by The Guardian and JW Films, reportedly relies on anonymous testimonies from 24 Israelis who allegedly served in the military and intelligence services, making serious claims about the use of force in the Gaza Strip.

Minister Zohar's letter to the Shin Bet chief, David Zini, urged an examination of the sources, testimonies, and materials used to create the film, as well as the circumstances under which they reached the filmmakers. Zohar cited Article 11 of the Citizenship Law, which allows for the revocation of citizenship for 'breach of loyalty to the State of Israel,' noting that the creators' reliance on anonymous sources makes verification impossible.

Screenings are planned in Spain and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, showings are scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, at Filmhuis Bussum, Cinebergen, and KINO Rotterdam. In Spain, the film will be shown at the San Sebastian Film Festival on September 23 and at the NUMAX cinema. Notably, only 12 tickets had been sold for the October 7 screening in Delft, Netherlands, as of the report.