Israeli Documentary Accusing IDF of Gaza War Crimes Premieres Commercially in US

The documentary "Naza," by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, is set for a commercial release in the United States. Despite lacking a U.S. distributor, the filmmakers are organizing an independent release with support from The Guardian and mk2. The North American premiere is scheduled for the 64th New York Film Festival on September 26 and 27, with tickets already sold out. Regular screenings will begin at New York's IFC Center on September 30, marking the film's sole commercial venue in the U.S. initially. The release is slated to expand to Los Angeles and other major cities starting October 9, with a nationwide rollout to follow.

"Naza" is distributed by its creators, with The Guardian and sales agent mk2 coordinating the U.S. release alongside local partners. The film is based on anonymous interviews with 24 individuals identifying as Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers who discuss targeting practices and civilian casualty assessments in Gaza. The title, "Naza," is an acronym used by Israeli security forces for "collateral damage," referring to the estimated number of civilians who might be killed in strikes on military targets.

The film previously premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 10, where it received a Special Jury Prize and a lengthy standing ovation. In Israel, "Naza" has sparked significant controversy. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have denied one of the film's claims as "completely false" and requested the full film version to prepare a detailed response. The Israeli Ministry of Culture is considering revoking state funding for institutions that screen the film, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned its creators.