IDA urges Israel to halt threats against NAZA directors as criticism of Gaza war draws political response

The International Documentary Association (IDA) has publicly urged the Israeli government to withdraw threats against NAZA filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and to end what it calls a campaign of intimidation against the two directors.

The call comes as NAZA, a Venice and New York Film Festival–featured documentary, faces government pushback after winning Venice Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize. The Culture Minister has accused the filmmakers of treason, and the Prime Minister has floated bills to revoke citizenship of those who “slander IDF soldiers” and to raise defamation damages.

In its letter, the IDA argues that, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Israel must respect freedom of expression. It notes that revoking citizenship, imposing punitive damages, or opening security investigations in response to a documentary would be incompatible with Article 19, and it stresses the journalists’ right not to disclose confidential sources. The letter states: “withdraw its threats against filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.” It also adds that the filmmakers should not be penalized for critical work or international recognition: “respect the filmmakers’ journalistic right to refuse to disclose the identities of confidential sources.”

The letter outlines concrete asks: withdraw threats to revoke the filmmakers’ citizenship and abandon related legislation; safeguard the right to non-disclosure of sources; reject changes to public film funding that penalize critical work or international recognition; and urge the public to reject intimidation of the filmmakers and their families.

The initiative has gathered more than 250 signatories, including actors Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo, and a wide network of documentary professionals and festival figures, among them Oscar winners and nominees such as Laura Poitras, Rob Epstein, Alex Gibney, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Tabitha Jackson, as well as many others.

NAZA is slated for its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival, with a planned protest outside Lincoln Center. Organizers say they will present documentary material about the Oct. 7 events, alongside materials challenging the film’s claims; weather could affect outdoor demonstrations.

The film is based on accounts from 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers who describe a disregard for Palestinian civilian life amid IDF operations in Gaza. The IDF has denied the film’s account; the IDA notes that Israel, as a signatory to the ICC, must balance national security concerns with the protection of freedom of expression and the rights of journalists. The association also says it will support Abraham and Szor through its Emergency Assistance Program as they navigate threats tied to their work.

Source: Deadline

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