Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Israel Minister Threatens Citizenship Revocation for NAZA Directors
An Israeli minister wants two filmmakers to lose their citizenship.
The filmmakers are Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
Their documentary, “NAZA,” examines how Israeli military systems were allegedly used to choose targets in Gaza.
It includes interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence whistleblowers.
The film won a prize at the Venice Film Festival.
Miki Zohar called the filmmakers’ work treasonous and harmful to Israel.
Another minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, also attacked them.
Israel’s military said the anonymous sources cannot be verified, while Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians.
Israeli law allows citizenship removal in some cases, but officials and judges must follow a formal process.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar called for Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor to lose their Israeli citizenship, accusing them of treason.
Their 80-minute documentary “NAZA” features 24 Israeli military and intelligence whistleblowers discussing alleged AI-assisted targeting systems used in Gaza.
“NAZA” won a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and received a reported 25-minute standing ovation.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also condemned the directors and suggested Hamas would welcome them in Gaza.
Israeli law permits citizenship revocation in limited circumstances, but requires approval by government ministers and validation by judges.
- Who
- Culture Minister Miki Zohar called for filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor to lose their citizenship; National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also criticized them.
- What
- The ministers condemned “NAZA,” a documentary about alleged AI-assisted targeting systems used during Israeli strikes in Gaza, and called for citizenship revocation.
- When
- Zohar made the call on Sunday, after “NAZA” won a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Israel, Gaza, and the film’s presentation at the Venice Film Festival.
- Why
- Zohar said the filmmakers were harming Israel and committing treason by publicizing allegations about the war and seeking international acclaim.
Filmmakers’ allegations
Israeli officials’ response
Targeting in Gaza
Filmmakers’ allegations
The filmmakers say Israeli military and intelligence sources described mass killing in Gaza as systemic and linked to AI-assisted targeting systems.
Israeli officials’ response
The Israeli military said the film’s anonymous whistleblowers cannot be verified, while Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians.
Meaning of the film
Filmmakers’ allegations
Yuval Abraham said the interviewed sources described policies involving the dehumanization of Palestinians and claimed the violence was carried out by design rather than accident.
Israeli officials’ response
Miki Zohar called the film vile and accused its directors of treason and harming their homeland for international applause.
Citizenship revocation
Filmmakers’ allegations
The directors presented the documentary internationally and received a Venice prize after previously winning an Oscar for “No Other Land.”
Israeli officials’ response
Zohar said he would seek to revoke their citizenship, but the law requires a formal ministerial process and judicial validation.
- Documentary
- “NAZA” is an 80-minute film directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
- Sources interviewed
- The film features 24 Israeli military or intelligence whistleblowers.
- Film subject
- The sources describe alleged AI-powered targeting systems and protocols used during bombardments of Gaza.
- Venice award
- “NAZA” won a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and reportedly received a 25-minute standing ovation.
- Earlier Oscar
- Abraham and Szor won the 2025 Oscar for “No Other Land,” about Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
- Citizenship procedure
- Israeli law requires the interior minister to submit a revocation request, the justice minister to approve it, and judges to validate it.
- Official response
- The Israeli military said the whistleblowers’ identities cannot be verified, and Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians.
Sources
Israel minister threatens to strip citizenship from Oscar-winning ‘NAZA’ directors over Gaza documentary
Israel minister threatens to strip ‘NAZA’ directors of citizenship forr Gaza documentary
Israel's culture minister calls for stripping Gaza film directors of citizenship
Israeli minister says ‘NAZA’ filmmakers have betrayed the country, seeks citizenship revocation
