Debate about the film “Naza” about IDF: fuel to the fire

The documentary “Naza” has sparked strong reactions since its premiere in Venice on September 10th. Which isn't surprising given the topic. After all, former soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) speak anonymously. Their descriptions amount to the accusation that the IDF willingly accepted high numbers of civilian casualties in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.

The IDF has subsequently announced that it will consider legal action against the film. They accuse him of distorting the facts. Lawyers, in turn, are calling for an independent review of the allegations made in the film.

Meanwhile, directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor are accused of treason in Israel. The fact that Abraham and Szor want to criticize the government of Israel and the IDF with their film is clear from the material itself. They openly advocate for a change in Israel's politics. It is very likely that with “Naza” they also want to help weaken Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in the parliamentary elections at the end of October.

However, there are doubts about the film's potential impact. Israeli journalist Shalom Yerushalmi even expressed fears in The Times of Israel that Abraham and Szor's film could help the Netanyahu government stay in office.

Conspiracy theories are currently circulating on the right during the Israeli election campaign that there was treachery among security officials that made the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023 possible. The film “Naza” is adding fuel to the fire of this campaign. Critics of Netanyahu who involuntarily provide campaign help for the prime minister? That would be a fatal irony.