Israel Reacts to New IDF Documentary on Civilian Killings in Gaza
A new Israeli-made documentary in which soldiers admit to deliberately killing civilians in Gaza has set off a furious backlash in Israel, and it is bad news for the filmmakers, who now face threats, possible prosecution, and loss of citizenship.
- The film, "Naza" (Hebrew for "collateral damage"), features 24 Israeli military insiders speaking anonymously about programs that targeted civilians, including the AI-driven "Where's Daddy" system that waited for suspects to reach home before bombing them with their families.
- Israel's military chief called the film "blood libel" and is weighing legal action over false allegations and leaked classified material, while the culture minister asked officials to strip directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Zor of their citizenship.
- Netanyahu is pushing two bills targeting the filmmakers, and far-right protesters have gathered outside Zor's family home calling for her to be hanged as a traitor.
- Even centrist candidate Gadi Eisenkot condemned the film as "morally blind," and polling shows two-thirds of Israelis reject its claims, with nearly half backing a ban — even though almost no one in Israel has seen it.
- Separately, Trump plans to send Israel another $2.8 billion in 2,000-pound bombs without going through Congress, with little objection from lawmakers.
Outlook: Expect Israel to pursue legal and citizenship measures against the filmmakers, and for the documentary to deepen the split between Israeli public opinion and growing international and American Jewish criticism of the war.