Benjamin Netanyahu calls for an investigation into anonymous testimonies from the film “NAZA”

Almost a month after the Israeli Minister of Culture wanted to strip the directors of NAZA of their nationality, it is Benjamin Netanyahu's turn to tackle the documentary film. The Israeli Prime Minister calls for the opening of an investigation against the members of the security forces who testify anonymously in the feature film.

“[He] this evening asked the chief of staff of the Israeli army, the head of the Shin Bet (internal security) and the state prosecutor to open a thorough investigation targeting the participants in the NAZA film and to prosecute them,” announced a press release from Mr. Netanyahu’s office.

Awarded at the Venice Film Festival

Award-winning in Venice, the documentary NAZA is based on the anonymous testimonies of 24 members of the Israeli army and intelligence services who expose how, according to them, Israeli forces intentionally kill numerous civilians during strikes against the Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza. NAZA is the Israeli military acronym for the “collateral damage” estimated before each strike, according to the documentary.

Awarded the Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, the film was greeted with a 25-minute ovation but sparked a political storm in Israel, where directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor were accused of “treason” by ministers and threatened with being stripped of their Israeli nationality. “This film tells a false, misleading and tendentious narrative, which defames the State of Israel and the army throughout the world,” Mr. Netanyahu said, according to this press release.

More than 74,000 dead in Gaza

He had indicated that he wanted to propose a bill aimed at “stripping of their citizenship people who defame IDF soldiers”. The Israeli army “categorically” rejected the accusations contained in the film, expressing doubts about the reliability of the anonymous speakers.