Far-right Israelis call for NAZA co-director to be hanged in protest outside parents' home

What Happened

Dozens of far-right Israelis gathered outside the family home of filmmaker Rachel Szor on Wednesday demanding she be hanged over her documentary NAZA, which she co-directed with Yuval Abraham and which won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival on Saturday. Haaretz reported that protesters called for the "death penalty for traitors" and said Szor and Abraham "should be tried and go to the gallows", with one demonstrator saying the family "should be expelled and the house sealed". A far-right activist with connections to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged supporters to identify the filmmakers in public, saying "these scums have nowhere to run". Israeli officials have joined the backlash. Culture Minister Miki Zohar called the film "despicable" on Sunday and said he would "act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators on the grounds of treason against the state". On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would introduce two bills: one to revoke citizenship of anyone who "defames soldiers", and another to increase damages for defamation twentyfold. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, according to Israeli media, ordered legal action against Szor and Abraham with Shin Bet assistance, despite the military not having seen the film. A Channel 13 News poll found 68% of respondents did not believe NAZA's claims of intentional mass killing in Gaza, and 48% supported banning the film in Israel.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The backlash illustrates intense internal Israeli pressure on public figures who challenge military conduct in Gaza, particularly over the film's claims about automated targeting systems and civilian casualties. It also highlights a clash between government-led punitive measures and warnings from some military and diplomatic officials that the attacks portray Israel as not allowing freedom of expression. The controversy comes amid ongoing international legal scrutiny of Israeli operations in Gaza and could affect Israel's diplomatic standing and domestic political calculations.

Watch For

Monitor the Knesset for introduction and committee progress of Netanyahu's two bills on citizenship revocation and defamation damages; any formal Shin Bet or military legal proceedings naming Szor and Abraham; further protests or threats against the filmmakers and their families; possible censorship or banning decisions on NAZA in Israel; reactions from international film festivals, human rights groups, and foreign governments; and any statements from the Union of Journalists in Israel or military/diplomatic officials dissenting.