Israeli Culture Minister Moves to Strip ‘NAZA’ Filmmakers of Citizenship
Date: September 14, 2026
By: AFP
Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has announced plans to revoke the citizenship of filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, alleging treason related to their documentary “NAZA.” The film, which won a Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival, critiques Israeli military actions in Gaza.
In a post on X, Zohar condemned the documentary for allegedly harming Israel’s reputation to gain favor with those hostile to the state. He emphasized this move was part of a broader initiative to prevent Israeli taxpayers from unknowingly funding productions that criticize the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
About the Documentary:
“NAZA” runs for 80 minutes and features interviews with whistleblowers from Israeli military and intelligence sectors. They claim AI-targeting systems used in strikes on Gaza contribute to high civilian casualties. The film’s title references a military term related to collateral damage.
Official Reactions:
Other Israeli officials, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have denounced the filmmakers, labeling them a disgrace to Israel. Abraham and Szor previously won an Oscar for their film “No Other Land,” which highlighted Israeli settler violence.
Citizenship Revocation Process:
While stripping citizenship is legally permissible in Israel, it’s rarely enacted. The 2022 Supreme Court ruling allows for revocation due to disloyal acts, including espionage. The process requires approval from various government officials.
Abraham defended their film, arguing that the documentary highlights systematic violence against Palestinians, countering Israeli military claims of accidental civilian targeting.
For more details, see the full article here.
