Jonathan Glazer was ‘shocked into silence’ by NAZA documentary

What Happened

The Israeli government has initiated a campaign against the documentary NAZA, which features interviews with 24 Israeli military insiders detailing AI-assisted surveillance and targeting systems used during the war in Gaza. The government has accused co-directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor of treason, announced plans to strip citizenship from those who criticize Israeli soldiers, and ordered legal and security officials to prosecute military personnel interviewed in the film for allegedly harming national security interests. In response to the documentary's release, far-right activists have threatened the directors, and demonstrators have protested outside the home of Szor's parents.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The controversy surrounding NAZA highlights the intense domestic and international scrutiny of the Israeli military's conduct in Gaza, specifically regarding the use of AI-assisted targeting systems. The government's aggressive response underscores the high stakes of the information war accompanying the conflict, as state authorities attempt to suppress internal dissent and narratives that challenge the official justification for military operations.

Watch For

Monitor the progress of the Israeli government's announced legal actions against the film's interviewees and the potential legislative moves to strip citizenship from critics. Additionally, observe the global reception of the film as it expands to over 50 countries and becomes available on the Guardian's website in late November.