Israeli minister threatens to strip Gaza film directors of citizenship

Israeli minister threatens to strip Gaza film directors of citizenship Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatened on Sunday to strip the award-winning directors of an Israeli-made documentary about Gaza of their citizenship, accusing them of “treason against the state”.

In "NAZA", Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor spoke to 24 different Israeli military or intelligence whistleblowers who outlined the AI-powered targeting systems used to bombard Gaza that have killed tens of thousands of civilians.

The 80-minute documentary won a special jury prize at this year's Venice Film Festival.

"I will act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators for treason against the state," Zohar said on X.

Abraham said "the Israeli intelligence officers we spoke with talked to us about how this mass killing is systemic: not by accident, but by design, actions of murder and policies that are based on the total dehumanisation of Palestinians".

Director Yuval Abraham and Director Rachel Szor winners of the Special Jury Prize for "Naza" attend a photocall on the red carpet following the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido on 12 September 2026 (Stefano Rellandini / AFP)