Former Hostage Slams 'NAZA' Film for Ignoring Hamas's Role in War

Omer Shem-Tov, who was held captive by Hamas for 505 days, has penned a powerful response to the creators of the documentary film "NAZA." Published in The Wall Street Journal on September 22, Shem-Tov's column, titled "Hostages Like Me Were Also Collateral Damage," directly addresses the film's narrative, which he argues omits the context of the October 7th Hamas massacre and the subsequent war.

The film "NAZA," named after the Hebrew acronym for "collateral damage" (nezek agavi), received a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. Shem-Tov, abducted from the Nova music festival, states that the film, based on anonymous interviews with Israeli military and intelligence personnel, portrays the war as one where Palestinian civilians were unnecessarily killed, even intentionally. He criticizes the film for largely ignoring the events of October 7th that initiated the conflict.

Shem-Tov recounts his harrowing experience in captivity, expressing fear not only of his captors but also of Israeli airstrikes, as his location was unknown to Israeli forces. He highlights a stark contrast: while Hamas knew his whereabouts and left him vulnerable, the IDF called the mother of one of his captors to warn her of an impending strike, prioritizing her safety. He notes that Israel's efforts to minimize civilian casualties, through warnings and evacuation orders, inadvertently gave Hamas more time and endangered Israeli soldiers and hostages.

Reflecting on the war's toll, Shem-Tov observes that for Hamas, destruction itself can be a victory, as evidenced by their celebration of Israeli soldier deaths and their use of hostage situations to provoke Israeli responses. He cites UN figures suggesting that around 90% of casualties in urban warfare involving explosive weapons are civilians, but argues that Israel's cautious approach, despite its costs, aimed to reduce Palestinian deaths. He feels the film's accolades in Venice were painful because it seemed to overlook his own suffering and the broader context of Hamas's atrocities.

"In this story, perhaps I too am 'collateral damage,'" Shem-Tov writes, expressing hurt that the film appears to disregard him, a Jewish hostage, while focusing on Palestinian suffering. He concludes by asserting Israel's right to defend itself and prevent another October 7th, emphasizing the moral clarity needed to uphold this right.