Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Photo credit: REUTERS
Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to introduce legislation that would allow the Israeli government to revoke the citizenship of people accused of defaming Israeli soldiers, following a backlash over NAZAa documentary about Gaza made by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Netanyahu also proposed a separate bill that would increase the amount of statutory damages in defamation cases by 20 times.
This statement escalates a dispute that began after NAZA received a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival on September 12. The film features interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders who describe alleged attacks and civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has rejected the documentary’s allegations and questioned the ability to independently verify the anonymous sources.
In a video message, Israel’s prime minister said the proposed citizenship law would target people who “defame” Israeli soldiers. He also said the government would seek tougher financial penalties in libel cases, seeing the measures as a response to what he called attacks on Israeli troops.
The move follows Culture Minister Miki Zohar’s previous call to strip Abraham and Shor of their citizenship. Zohar accused the filmmakers of treason after NAZA received the Venetian award and said he had contacted the Israel Population Authority and the Interior Ministry to see if their citizenship could be revoked due to the alleged breach of trust and possible collaboration with the enemy during the war.
Israeli law places restrictions on this process. A request to revoke citizenship must involve the Interior Ministry and requires further government and judicial approval, meaning Netanyahu’s proposed law would still face legal and institutional hurdles before any citizenship could actually be revoked. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also said the proposal had “no chance” of success.
The controversy caused a growing backlash in the film industry. More than 1,500 Israeli film professionals signed a petition in support of Abraham and Shor, and international figures including Telluride artistic director Julie Huntzinger and Locarno Film Festival officials defended the filmmakers’ creative and journalistic freedom.
NAZA received a 24-minute standing ovation in Venice before winning the special jury prize. Abraham and Sor previously co-directed There is no other landwon the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2025.
Published – September 17, 2026 12:29 pm EST.
