RSF Condemns Israeli Government Threats Against Filmmakers of ‘Naza’

Ahead of Israel's legislative elections scheduled for October 29, media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has voiced solidarity with journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor following government threats to strip them of their citizenship over their documentary film, "Naza."

The documentary, directed by the +972 journalists and screened at the Venice Film Festival in September, includes first-hand accounts from Israeli soldiers regarding alleged military crimes in Gaza. Following the release, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated threats to revoke the filmmakers' citizenship, stating in a September 25 interview with Makor Rishon that portraying Israeli military personnel as war criminals causes substantial harm. Netanyahu also labeled the film as "global antisemitic incitement" and proposed legislation targeting citizens who defame the military abroad with citizenship revocation and increased fines.

RSF expressed condemnation over the official reactions and public hostility directed at the directors. The organization noted that Culture Minister Miki Zohar previously threatened the filmmakers with loss of citizenship, while the Israeli military has threatened legal action and rejected the film's allegations.

According to RSF, the filmmakers have faced severe harassment from the public and media figures. Incidents reported include crowds gathering outside Szor's family home calling for execution, protests targeting the offices of +972, graffiti branding the journalists as traitors, and a Channel 14 presenter encouraging viewers to persecute the directors.

Media researcher Ayala Panievsky noted that the hostility toward the filmmakers is intensified by the upcoming elections and a broader societal intolerance toward criticism of the military. RSF also highlighted concurrent pressures on other media outlets, such as recent defamation lawsuit threats by Netanyahu's office against the newspaper Haaretz following a report regarding pre-October 7 warnings.

RSF stated that these actions against Abraham and Szor are part of a wider suppression of press freedom, citing its own figures alleging the killing of over 200 journalists in Gaza by the Israeli military, the detention of West Bank journalists, and restrictions on international press access.

Source