Israeli Film "NAZA" Wins Award at Venice, Sparks Controversy Over Accusations
The Israeli documentary "NAZA," by directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, received a special jury prize and a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which relies on anonymous testimonies from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel, presents the harm to Gaza civilians not as a tragic byproduct of urban warfare, but as a deliberate and systematic act. The official festival synopsis describes the film as exposing mechanisms behind what it calls the "calculated mass killing" of Palestinian civilians.
The article criticizes the film, drawing parallels to propaganda like "Mein Kampf," suggesting it caters to pre-existing anti-Israel sentiments in Europe. It argues that when Israeli Jews present such accusations, it carries a significant propaganda advantage over external accusers, gaining international exposure, funding, and prestigious awards. The film was produced by The Guardian, which the author describes as having a strong anti-Israel stance.
The author contends that Israeli critiques of Israel often receive substantial international backing, including funding and platforms, citing examples like "Five Broken Cameras," "Foxtrot," and "Jenin Jenin." These films, despite limited box office success, have garnered international awards and recognition, with legal victories often coming too late to counter the established narrative.
The piece draws historical parallels, comparing the Venice festival's award to "Triumph of the Will" at the same festival in 1935, a notorious Nazi propaganda film. It reflects on historical instances of Jews seeking acceptance from hostile non-Jewish societies by distancing themselves from their own community, often to no avail.
Finally, the article suggests that Israeli filmmakers who produce anti-Israel content may gain international acclaim and funding but do not achieve immunity from hatred, citing the experiences of peace activists Vivian Silver and Oded Lifshitz, and Batya Holin, who were victims of the October 7th attacks despite their efforts to bridge divides. It also notes that Israeli academics who led BDS movements at elite US universities faced backlash from their institutions during pro-Palestinian campus protests.
