Netanyahu Orders Investigation into IDF Officials over Document Naza

Israeli Government Orders Probe into Documentary Sources

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an investigation into the 24 anonymous sources featured in the documentary NAZA, which details the Israeli military’s use of AI-driven targeting systems and the acceptance of civilian casualties in Gaza. The move follows the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize. The investigation, initiated by Netanyahu’s office, targets individuals from the IDF and intelligence services who appear unrecognizable in the film. He has “the army’s chief of staff, the head of security service Shin Bet and the state prosecutor” at work, according to his office, as reported by Source 2. The film, which has caused controversy in Israel, includes 24 unnamed military and intelligence officials who claim the Israeli military deliberately killed thousands of Gazan civilians, often using AI systems to select targets.

Documentary Sparks Controversy Over Military Accountability

NAZA features former military personnel describing how AI systems are used to plan strikes that result in “nevenschade,” a Hebrew term for collateral damage. Some interviewees claim up to 500 civilian deaths were accepted in certain operations. Army Chief Eyal Zamir called it an “attack on Israel,” while Netanyahu accused the filmmakers of spreading “lies and defamation.” The film’s title is an acronym for the Hebrew term for “collateral damage,” as noted in Source 1.

International Reception and Domestic Backlash

The documentary’s release in the Netherlands faced challenges, with some cinemas temporarily halting showings between October 6–8 ahead of the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas attacks. All Dutch cinemas complied with the filmmakers’ request to pause screenings during this period, according to Source 3. The film resumes on October 9 and will remain in theaters until October 14, as reported by Source 4. Meanwhile, a screening in Delft was disrupted when a survivor of the 2023 Hamas attack addressed the audience.

https://x.com/YehoshuaYosi/status/2099912966879797334

Legal and Political Implications

The Israeli government’s investigation, now underway, seeks to identify and prosecute the documentary’s sources for “serious violations of information security” and “defamation,” as outlined in a request from the state prosecutor. The filmmakers, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have faced threats from far-right groups, forcing them into hiding. The film’s Netherlands release coincided with heightened tensions, as evidenced by the Delft screening disruption, where a group linked to the Israeli organization Ad Kan attempted to project Hamas attack footage.

Global Film Festival Recognition and Local Resistance

The filmmakers, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have faced threats from far‑right groups, forcing them into hiding. The film’s Netherlands release coincided with heightened tensions, as evidenced by the Delft screening disruption, where a group linked to the Israeli organization Ad Kan attempted to project Hamas attack footage. Ad Kan, which claims to infiltrate “anti-Israeli organizations” with undercover agents, sent its head to the Netherlands, according to Source 4. The organization’s leader, Avichai Shorshan, tried to show footage of the Hamas attack on a cinema screen but was prevented from doing so by attendees.

Human Rights Groups Condemn Military Tactics

The filmmakers, however, argue that the documentary aims to make the denial of these crimes “harder” and to expose the “calculated” nature of the conflict.

FAQ

What is NAZA about?

NAZA features IDF and intelligence officials discussing the use of AI systems to plan targeted strikes in Gaza, with some admitting to accepting up to 500 civilian deaths in specific operations. The film’s title references the Hebrew term for “collateral damage.” The documentary also includes testimony from a Hamas attack survivor, Sabine Taasa, who disrupted a screening in Delft to share her story of losing her son and husband in the 2023 attack, as reported in Source 4.

How has the Israeli government responded?

Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered an investigation into the documentary’s sources, citing violations of information security and defamation. The move follows threats against the filmmakers and criticism of the film’s portrayal of military tactics.

What is the film’s reception in the Netherlands?

The documentary drew unprecedented crowds for a documentary, but some cinemas paused showings ahead of the October 7 anniversary. A screening in Delft was disrupted by a Hamas attack survivor.