Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a sweeping criminal investigation into participants in the documentary NAZA, a film examining the Israeli military’s use of artificial intelligence in its war on Gaza.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his verified X account, Netanyahu demanded action from Israel’s highest military, intelligence, and legal authorities, accusing those associated with the documentary of damaging Israel’s reputation and threatening its national interests.
“I demand that the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, and the Attorney General initiate a comprehensive investigation against the participants in the film ‘ZAZ’ and bring them to trial for serious information security offenses, criminal defamation, and harm to Israel’s political and security interests,” Netanyahu declared, according to the machine-translated post.
The statement signals a confrontation between the Israeli government and filmmakers seeking to expose how military intelligence and AI-assisted targeting systems have been used during the Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu: Documentary is false, misleading and biased
Netanyahu rejected the film’s portrayal of Israeli military operations, accusing its creators of spreading damaging claims about the country and its armed forces.
“The film presents a false, misleading, and biased plot that defames the State of Israel and the IDF in the world and severely damages Israel’s standing,” he stated.
The prime minister concluded his statement with an emphatic declaration of support for Israeli troops:
“We will always stand with our beloved and heroic fighters!”
Directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, NAZA features testimony from 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel who describe the military’s targeting procedures during the Gaza war.
The documentary alleges that AI-assisted systems were used to identify targets while military planners anticipated potentially large numbers of civilian deaths.
The Israeli military has disputed the film’s portrayal of its operations, insisting that human officers make final targeting decisions and that safeguards exist to minimize civilian casualties.
The film won the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, bringing international attention to its allegations.
However, the recognition has been accompanied by fierce criticism from Israeli political leaders.
In an earlier statement, Netanyahu declared:
“We are fighting global antisemitic incitement. When it comes from within us, it’s simply unbearable.”
He has also backed proposed legislation targeting individuals accused of defaming Israeli soldiers, stating:
“We will revoke citizenship for anyone who defames IDF soldiers around the world.”
Israel has also launched its own documentary of the same name aimed at countering the narrative.
