Israel would rather not watch NAZA

What Happened

The article reports that the documentary NAZA—Hebrew for 'collateral damage'—made by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Szor, has not secured an Israeli distributor or public screening, despite the filmmakers' stated intention to show it widely in Israel. According to the article, senior Israeli figures, including the military chief of staff and culture minister (neither named in the piece), promised unspecified 'steps' against the filmmakers, with some opponents calling for revoking their citizenship. Prominent Israeli investigative journalist Raviv Drucker said he would not air the film, citing a lack of journalistic professionalism due to anonymous testimony; other journalists, including Uri Misgav, accused the creators of serving Israel's enemies, Qatar, and Netanyahu. The article argues this backlash reflects a broader Israeli refusal to confront the scale of Palestinian deaths—over 20,000 children and more than 70,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to figures cited in the article—and claims many Israelis 'closed their hearts' and take pride in not watching.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reception of NAZA highlights media self-censorship and polarized discourse in Israel over documenting military conduct in Gaza. The article claims that refusal to engage with the film reflects a broader societal reluctance to confront casualty figures and legal accountability, at a time when international bodies and foreign audiences are scrutinizing Israeli operations. The backlash also underscores tensions between journalistic independence, national identity, and allegations of war crimes.

Watch For

Monitor whether NAZA obtains Israeli distribution or a public screening; whether Israeli authorities carry out concrete administrative or legal measures against Avraham and Szor; and whether the film's international awards—including a special jury prize and 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival—trigger further Israeli political or media responses.