Naza: Why the world watches only when Israelis document genocide

What Happened

At the Zurich Film Festival, a screening of Naza—a documentary directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, co-produced by the Guardian with Jonathan Glazer as executive producer—presented testimony from 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers describing how they killed Palestinians in Gaza. The article reports that Naza won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and that its testimony includes a stated Israeli military rule of engagement allowing up to 20 civilian deaths per target. The author contrasts this reception with Palestinian-documented films: Karim Shah’s Gaza: Doctors Under Attack was commissioned by the BBC but only broadcast by Channel 4 in July 2025; Daniele Rugo’s Life Support, backed by Health Workers 4 Palestine, features Palestinian cinematographers Mahmoud Abou Hamda and Suleiman Hejjy. The article claims more than 1,700 health workers have been killed and cites a Gaza death toll above 74,000, attributing that figure to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The author argues that Western audiences and media treat Israeli-sourced testimony as credible while dismissing Palestinian documentation.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The article highlights a perceived double standard in how Western media and film institutions validate testimony about the Gaza war. If Israeli-sourced accounts are treated as credible while Palestinian documentation is dismissed, that asymmetry shapes public understanding, accountability efforts, and possible international legal or policy responses to allegations of war crimes. The films document specific details—such as the 20-civilian-per-target rule and health-worker deaths—that may inform investigations or public debate over the conduct of the war.

Watch For

Monitor whether Naza receives further festival prizes or Oscar nominations, whether the Israeli government responds to the film's allegations, and whether the BBC reverses or explains its decision not to broadcast Gaza: Doctors Under Attack. Also watch for updates to the Gaza death toll and health-worker casualty figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry and international agencies, and for any legal or investigative follow-up on the rules of engagement described in the film.