Israel’s culture minister, Miki Zohar, said on Sunday he will move to revoke the Israeli citizenship of documentary filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, whose film "NAZA" alleges that the Israeli army deliberately targeted civilians in Gaza. Zohar described the work as “shocking” and labeled it an act of “treason against the state,” according to reports from The Guardian and Variety. The threat comes a day after the film won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival, a recognition that has drawn both international acclaim and fierce domestic criticism.
Film and Awards
"NAZA," co‑directed by Abraham and Szor, is a 90‑minute documentary that presents newly released footage and testimonies suggesting that Israeli forces fired on densely populated neighborhoods in Gaza during the 2023 conflict. The filmmakers, who have previously been linked to an Oscar‑winning short, say the film is intended to document what they view as war crimes. The Venice jury described the documentary as “a powerful, unflinching portrait of civilian suffering,” awarding it the festival’s Special Jury Prize, as noted by Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
Political Response
Minister Zohar, who heads the Ministry of Culture, said the documentary “crosses the line from artistic expression to betrayal of the nation.” In a televised interview, he warned that revoking citizenship is “the most appropriate response to those who use state resources to undermine Israel’s security.”
“I consider their work an act of treason against the state,” Zohar said, as quoted by The Guardian.He added that the Ministry would “move immediately” to initiate legal proceedings to strip the directors of their nationality, a step described by i24NEWS as unprecedented in recent Israeli history.
Legal and Cultural Implications
Revoking citizenship in Israel requires a decision by the Interior Ministry and, ultimately, approval by the Minister of Justice, a process that can take months. Legal scholars cited by Haaretz note that such measures have traditionally been reserved for cases involving espionage or direct threats to national security, not for artistic work. The move has sparked concern among Israel’s cultural sector, with several artists and film institutions calling the threat “pathetic” and “an attack on freedom of expression,” as reported by Common Dreams and The Times of Israel.
Critics argue that the minister’s stance could create a chilling effect on filmmakers and journalists covering the Gaza conflict, potentially limiting public discourse on a highly contentious issue. The Israeli Association of Filmmakers, referenced by Al Jazeera, warned that targeting artists for their work undermines the democratic values the country professes to uphold.
International observers have taken note of the escalation. While no foreign government has formally intervened, media outlets across the Middle East and Europe, including Middle East Eye and Anadolu Ajansı, have highlighted the case as a litmus test for Israel’s tolerance of dissenting voices in the arts.
As the legal process unfolds, the fate of Abraham and Szor remains uncertain. The filmmakers have expressed willingness to appeal any citizenship revocation and have urged the international film community to stand in solidarity, according to statements relayed by TRT World. The controversy underscores the fraught intersection of culture, politics, and national identity in a nation grappling with ongoing conflict and global scrutiny.
