Netanyahu Orders Probe Into NAZA Documentary Interviewees

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered legal and security officials to identify and investigate soldiers and officers interviewed in NAZA, an award-winning documentary produced by the Guardian about Israel's military operations in Gaza, after the film sparked a political dispute in Israel.

The documentary, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize. It features 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel discussing targeting systems and alleged civilian harm assessments.

Netanyahu asked the attorney general, the IDF chief of staff and the Shin Bet head to pursue action against those involved in the film. He called for investigations into alleged security offences, criminal defamation and damage to Israel's diplomatic interests.

"Act urgently to uncover the identity of all those who are involved or appear in the libel film" Netanyahu wrote in his request to officials.

The Israeli military has rejected the documentary's claims, saying the film presents an incomplete picture of its targeting procedures and lacks verifiable details about specific strikes. The IDF said anonymous testimonies do not establish that military rules were violated.

"This is a professional term commonly used by every law-abiding military worldwide, and has been used for many years in the IDF as well to describe incidental harm to civilians resulting from a strike on a military objective" the IDF said in its response.

The filmmakers said their reporting was based on extensive interviews, classified material and additional verification. A Guardian spokesperson said the project followed journalistic standards and defended the reporting process.

"After first threatening to strip NAZA’s directors of their Israeli citizenship, the Israeli government is now calling for an investigation into their journalistic sources. These moves are all attempts to distract from the urgent questions the film asks about the mass killings of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Journalists should be free to pursue public interest investigations without threats or harassment" a Guardian spokesperson said.

NAZA has received international attention since its Venice premiere and expanded screenings in more than 50 countries. In Italy, the documentary topped the box office after sold-out screenings extended its theatrical run.