Over 40 Israeli organizations sign joint statement in solidarity with NAZA filmmakers

Over 40 Israeli human rights groups issued a joint statement in support of 'NAZA' producers and condemning calls to revoke their citizenship.

Forty-three Israeli human rights, equality, and peace organizations have issued a joint statement in support of NAZA filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor on Tuesday, following a wave of threats against them.

Public backlash in Israel against the documentary's producers was sparked after it won the Special Jury Award at the Venice Film Festival. The creators published a promo for the movie in which an anonymous IDF soldier described AI targeting software used during the campaign in Gaza.

The statement called on Israeli authorities to cease threats and refrain from calls to revoke the filmmakers' citizenship or legally prosecute them and their sources.

In reaction to the documentary's award and global accolades, Culture Minister Miki Zohar characterized the film as "horrifying" and an "act of treason against the state."

Zohar said he would take immediate action to revoke the citizenship of NAZA's creators in a post on X/Twitter this Sunday.

“The institutional response to the film and the threats against its creators are characteristic of dictatorial regimes,” the statement said.

“Citizenship is not a prize granted by the regime or the government, but a fundamental right belonging to each and every one of us.”

The groups emphasized that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are integral to the struggle for democracy, warning that persecution and attempts to silence dissent do not stop with one person or issue.

'NAZA' has yet to be released

The statement noted that most members representing the organizations in the petition had not seen the film, as it has yet to be fully released; the statement said the issue at the core of the discussion around NAZA demands an investigation. 

The petition also cited the death toll in Gaza, which the IDF estimates stands at roughly 70,000, and called for the allegations raised in the film to be thoroughly investigated and for independent journalists to be allowed to report from Gaza.

The joint statement from the human rights groups follows a petition signed by over 1,000 Israeli filmmakers yesterday in solidarity with the filmmakers of NAZA amid backlash to the film’s claims.

The petition stated that “We filmmakers and creators call on everyone who is still fighting for freedom of expression and artistic freedom to join us in expressing support and solidarity with Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham, the creators of the film NAZA.”

The creators further warned that the ongoing uproar and hostility could endanger the physical safety of the filmmakers.

The petition stressed the importance of independent journalism in Israel.

“The central role of art and journalism is to hold up a mirror to the society in which they exist and to generate discourse and debate without giving anyone a pass, even when the reality is difficult.”