Israel minister seeks citizenship action against NAZA directors

Key Developments:

• Israel minister seeks citizenship review for Gaza film directors
• Netanyahu and IDF officials condemn NAZA documentary

TEL AVIV (BBC) — September 15, 2026: Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar has called for action to revoke the citizenship of filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, directors of the Gaza war documentary NAZA, following the film's recognition at the Venice Film Festival.

Zohar accused the filmmakers of “treason against the state” after NAZA won the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice Film Festival. The documentary also received a reported 25-minute standing ovation at its premiere.

In a statement cited by multiple media outlets, Zohar said he would “act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators for treason against the state.”

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The minister also asked authorities to examine how material used in the documentary was obtained and whether its production or publication involved actions that could be considered assistance to an enemy during wartime.

The film, produced with The Guardian, features interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence personnel who describe alleged targeting practices and the use of artificial-intelligence systems during Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The filmmakers say the documentary examines how civilian casualties were factored into some military operations.

The allegations have been rejected by the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF has said the documentary contains serious and false claims and has questioned the ability to independently verify the identities and accounts of some of the anonymous sources.

An IDF spokesperson said: “The film 'NAZA' has not yet been released in full. However, based on what can be seen in promotional material, it presents a series of serious and false allegations regarding the IDF and its personnel.”

The military has also invited the filmmakers to allow IDF representatives to view the complete film so the allegations can be addressed individually. Israeli media reported on September 15 that the military was considering possible legal action against those behind the documentary.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has separately condemned NAZA, describing it as “shocking incitement” and accusing the documentary of contributing to antisemitism. IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir has also criticised the film and indicated that legal measures could be considered.

The filmmakers have defended their work. Abraham has said the reporting behind the documentary was “rigorous”, rejecting efforts to discredit it. He has argued that the film is intended to examine the military systems involved in the Gaza campaign through testimony from people with direct knowledge of those systems.

NAZA's title refers to an Israeli military acronym associated with expected civilian casualties from an airstrike. The documentary builds on investigative reporting by Abraham and other journalists concerning Israel's military operations in Gaza.

The film's allegations come against the backdrop of a war that began after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken, according to Israeli figures cited by international news agencies. Gaza's Health Ministry has reported more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths during the subsequent Israeli military campaign; the ministry does not distinguish in its overall death toll between civilians and combatants.

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The controversy has also generated support for the filmmakers within Israel's cultural community. Anadolu reported on September 15 that more than 200 Israeli filmmakers had signed a petition defending Abraham and Szor amid criticism of the documentary.

The citizenship issue is legally complex. Israeli law allows citizenship to be revoked in limited circumstances involving alleged breaches of allegiance, but such measures are rarely used and require legal and judicial procedures.

Abraham and Szor previously won the 2025 Academy Award for Best Documentary for No Other Land, which examined Israeli settler violence and Palestinian displacement in the occupied West Bank.

NAZA has not yet received a wide public release. Its international festival screenings are expected to continue, with the film attracting significant attention over its allegations concerning Israel's conduct of the Gaza war.

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