Israeli minister urges probe into sources in award-winning Gaza film

AFP | Jerusalem

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The Israeli culture minister yesterday called for an investigation to identify the anonymous military sources featured in the award-winning documentary “NAZA” who accused the army of mass civilian killing in Gaza.

In the film, directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor spoke to 24 anonymous Israeli military whistleblowers who outlined the AI-powered targeting systems used to bombard Gaza that have killed tens of thousands of civilians.

The 80-minute documentary won a special jury prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

In a post on X, Culture Minister Miki Zohar said he had asked authorities to “investigate how the materials were obtained, who is behind them, and whether in the process of obtaining or publishing them, actions were taken that amount to aiding the enemy during wartime”.

He also said he had requested the interior ministry to consider revoking the citizenship of the two filmmakers on account of “treason”.

“Freedom of expression is not a licence to betray the state. Anyone who acts against Israel during wartime should know that there will be a price to pay,” Zohar wrote.

The revocation of nationality is legally possible in Israel, although it is rarely applied.

In 2022, Israel’s Supreme Court confirmed that the state may strip people of their nationality for a breach of “loyalty to the State”, for example by committing acts of espionage or treason.