Netanyahu orders unmasking and prosecution of soldiers in Gaza documentary NAZA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the country's attorney general and security chiefs to identify soldiers and officers who gave anonymous interviews in the documentary NAZA and to open criminal cases against them, The Guardian.
The order was issued on Sunday, 11 October. It was sent in a letter to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet head David Zini, who leads Israel's domestic security organisation. Netanyahu demanded urgent action to uncover the identity of everyone involved in or appearing in the film.
He called for a criminal investigation and prosecution for serious information security offences, criminal defamation and harm to Israel's diplomatic and security interests. He also sought prosecution of the interviewees on the grounds that they had caused harm to those interests.
NAZA was directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and produced by the Guardian. It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won the special jury prize. It is now showing in cinemas, including in Britain and the United States, and is due to be shown in more than 50 countries.
The title comes from an acronym used by Israeli intelligence to indicate how many civilians it expects to be killed in an airstrike. The film details the mass killing of civilians in Gaza. It accuses the Israeli military of killing Palestinians in Gaza using AI systems, Al Jazeera.
The makers have said they spoke to more than 100 people about Israeli actions in Gaza. The finished film draws on 24 anonymous Israeli sources. Netanyahu had previously described the documentary as "shocking incitement", Reuters.
IDF chief Zamir has denounced NAZA as an attack on the state of Israel. He had earlier ordered military and legal officials to identify soldiers featured in the film and to examine possible legal action against them. Military advocate general Itai Ofir has said any criminal prosecution would require evidence of security violations or disclosure of classified material.
