Debate about the documentary “Naza”: Lawyers call for an investigation into possible war crimes

kna | Israeli international law experts are calling for an independent investigation into alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. In view of the allegations against Israel's conduct of the war, a blanket rejection without detailed examination is inappropriate, 14 experts jointly explained, according to the newspaper Ha'aretz on Tuesday.

The initiators, members of Israeli academic institutions, referred to concerns under international law that have been raised since Israel's military response to the terrorist acts began in October 2023. It is about incitement to crime, militarily unjustified destruction of infrastructure, disproportionate harm to civilians and obstruction of humanitarian aid. A country that is committed to the rule of law must investigate such allegations appropriately.

According to Haaretz, the documentary “Naza” by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor about Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip provided impetus for the demand. “Naza,” derived from the Hebrew word for collateral damage, features anonymized interviews with Israeli soldiers and intelligence officials who say Israel took civilian casualties into account in attacks.

The film won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. It sparked intense controversy and political reactions in Israel. Culture Minister Miki Zohar said he would work to revoke the directors' Israeli citizenship.

Arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court have been available against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Israeli Justice Minister Joav Galant since November 2024. The court in The Hague sees sufficient reasons to believe that the two committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by using hunger as a weapon, among other things.