JERUSALEM: Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has pledged to seek the revocation of citizenship held by filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor after their Gaza war documentary NAZA won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
In a statement on X, Zohar described the documentary as “vile” and its Venice recognition as “shocking,” accusing the filmmakers of damaging Israel’s interests to secure international approval.
Moreover, he characterised their work as an act of “treason against the state” and said he would act immediately to pursue citizenship revocation.
Zohar Links Film to Israeli Cinema Funding Reform
Zohar said the controversy demonstrated why he had promoted changes to Israel’s cinema funding system, arguing that Israeli citizens should not finance productions that he believes harm IDF soldiers or the country.
However, his statement did not establish that the filmmakers had been legally convicted of treason or that their citizenship had already been revoked.
According to the Venice Film Festival’s synopsis, NAZA examines what its creators describe as institutional mechanisms behind Israel’s “calculated mass killing” of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Documentary Wins Special Jury Prize in Venice
The production includes testimonies presented as coming from Israeli military intelligence officers and active-duty soldiers.
NAZA premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday and reportedly received a standing ovation lasting about 25 minutes.
Subsequently, the festival awarded the documentary its Special Jury Prize on Saturday, bringing greater international attention to the filmmakers and their allegations concerning Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The award has also intensified political controversy inside Israel, with Zohar framing the filmmakers’ work as damaging to the state and military.
Nevertheless, his announcement represents a pledge to pursue action rather than confirmation that any citizenship revocation has taken place.
