Netanyahu seeks citizenship and defamation laws over Gaza film NAZA
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will put two new laws to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in response to the documentary NAZA.
The announcement was reported on 17 September, days after the film won a major prize in Venice. Netanyahu directed the measures at the film's co-directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who are both Israeli citizens Deadline.
"We will hit them in their pockets and also in their citizenship, because their place is not among us," Netanyahu said. One bill would allow revocation of citizenship for anyone who slanders soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces. The second would increase the damages that can be sought in defamation cases twentyfold.
Netanyahu described criticism linked to the film as "global antisemitic incitement". He did not give a timetable for the bills.
Abraham and Szor were two of the four directors of No Other Land, which won the Oscar for best documentary. Their new film centres on Gaza.
NAZA accuses the Israeli army of mass civilian killing in Gaza BBC. It includes interviews with purported Israeli intelligence officers who claim systematic use of AI-powered targeting CBS News.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a 25-minute standing ovation. It then won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival La Biennale di Venezia. Festival organiser La Biennale di Venezia credits NAZA as a film by Abraham and Szor from the United Kingdom.
Netanyahu's comments followed warnings from Culture Minister Miki Zohar, who had threatened to revoke the filmmakers' citizenship. Zohar called the film "vile" Al Jazeera and accused Abraham and Szor of "treason against the state" The Guardian.
What makes this stand out is the direct link between a festival premiere and proposed legislation. A jury prize in Venice does not usually draw a legislative response within days.
