IDF chief Eyal Zamir orders legal review of ‘NAZA’ Gaza war film over ‘blood libels’

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is set to launch a full review, with the possibility of legal action against the producers of the documentary ‘NAZA ’, which Zamir has accused of spreading “blood libels.”

The chief of the staff instructed the Military Advocate General to “examine and advance possible legal measures concerning the film and those involved in it.”

“Based on what has been published thus far, this is not a film offering criticism of the IDF, nor is it an attempt to establish the truth. It is based on blood libels, deliberate distortions of reality, and grave, false accusations against IDF soldiers and commanders,” Zamir said.

He went on to defend the IDF stating that the force operates in accordance with international law.

The documentary by filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, whose title is from the Israeli military acronym for “collateral damage,” won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

The film is based on interviews with 24 israeli soldiers and officers who Abraham and Szor say were involved in planning and operating systems used during the war in Gaza. The documentary records how the IDF’s operations in Gaza may have resulted in systematic mass civilian casualties.

Israeli officials, including Zamir, have rejected the allegations. “This is an attack on the State of Israel, not only the IDF,” Zamir stated.

Zamir has directed the IDF to take a series of measures in response to the film. According to a statement from the IDF, a team of experts across Israeli agencies will be established to form responses for addressing allegations against the IDF and its soldiers.

IDF Spokesperson calls for officials to watch the full film

Earlier Monday, IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin reacted to the chatter surrounding the film, ‘NAZA’, in a statement on social media, saying it presents “false claims” but emphasizing the need for IDF representatives to watch the full film.

“The film ‘NAZA’ has not yet been released in full, but from what can be seen in the promo, it presents a series of harsh and false claims regarding the IDF and its personnel,” Defrin said in a post on X/Twitter.

The film has sparked public backlash from across Israel, however Defrin encouraged IDF leaders to view the film in its entirety to address every claim the filmmakers raised.

“The public discussion around the film deserves to be conducted on the basis of facts—not on the basis of false presentations and baseless slanders,” Defrin’s post read.

Defrin, along with other Israeli officials, has defended the IDF’s actions since October 7.

“I, together with all IDF commanders, stand fully behind the IDF soldiers, their commanders, and their personnel, and reject with disgust the baseless slanders against them,” Defrin’s post ended.