Netanyahu demands investigation into soldiers in Gaza documentary

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 05:48 · Archive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for criminal investigations into anonymous military sources featured in the award-winning documentary NAZA.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded criminal investigations into the participants in NAZA, an award-winning documentary about civilian deaths in Gaza. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on 10 September and features interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers, including members of the elite Unit 8200.

The documentary's participants allege that the Israeli military used AI-powered targeting systems and knowingly factored large numbers of Palestinian civilian deaths into military decisions during the offensive against Hamas in Gaza. NAZA takes its name from the Hebrew military term for 'collateral damage'. The film's directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, received the Special Jury Prize at Venice and a 25-minute standing ovation.

Netanyahu said he was demanding investigations for 'serious information security offenses, criminal defamation and harm to Israel's political and security interests', calling the film 'false, misleading and biased' and damaging to Israel's international standing. The Israeli military issued a lengthy rejection in early October, calling some allegations 'absurd' and 'contradictory', and stating that strikes are approved by human personnel only in accordance with military guidelines. Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered an investigation into suspected leaks of classified information and called for legal action against participants to be considered. Netanyahu and Culture Minister Miki Zohar have also threatened to revoke the directors' citizenship.

How it is being reported

• Netanyahu demands probe into sources for award-winning Gaza film NAZADocumentary draws on 24 anonymous Israeli sources accusing military of killing Palestinians in Gaza using AI systems.Al Jazeera · 12 Oct, 05:24
• Netanyahu demands investigation into soldiers in 'NAZA' documentaryPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded criminal investigations into the Israeli soldiers whose interviews constitute NAZA.UPI · 12 Oct, 05:09

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Yuval Abraham · Rachel Szor · Israel · Gaza · Israeli Defence Forces · Hamas · Unit 8200

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