Israel plans global pushback against Venice-winning Gaza film NAZA as diplomats warn of fallout

Israel's National Public Diplomacy Directorate, Foreign Ministry, and IDF Spokesperson's Unit are planning a broad international campaign to counter claims made in the Israeli film NAZA, which won the Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. The film, which features interviews with individuals claiming to be former Unit 8200 personnel, makes serious allegations regarding the IDF's collateral-damage policies, bombardments, and targeted killings in Gaza, including the alleged deliberate killing of uninvolved civilians. Israeli officials state, "There is no genocide in Gaza, and anyone who says otherwise is lying or does not know what genocide is." They argue the film presents "blatant lies" and distorts reality by ignoring IDF efforts to minimize civilian harm. Diplomats warn the film could intensify international pressure on governments friendly to Israel, especially since its Israeli creators and reliance on alleged soldier testimony make the claims harder to dismiss. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar has called for examining the revocation of the filmmakers' citizenship, stating, "Freedom of expression is not a license to betray the country."