Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has vowed to revoke the citizenship of filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. This threat follows their documentary, NAZA, receiving the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival for its examination of the war in Gaza.
A 25-minute standing ovation for NAZA in Venice
The documentary NAZA achieved significant critical acclaim during its presentation at the Venice Film Festival. According to the report, the film's official premiere on Thursday was met with a sustained standing ovation that lasted approximately 25 minutes. The film's success culminated on Saturday when it was awardd the prestigious Special Jury Prize.
The content of the documentary has proven highly controversial within Israel. as the source reports, the film's official synopsis describes it as an examination of the institutional mechanisms behind what it calls the "calculated mass killing" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. to support its claims, the production incorporates direct testimonies from active-duty soldiers and members of Israeli military intelligence officers.
Miki Zohar's "treason" charge against Abraham and Szor
Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has launched a sharp political attack against Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in response to their international recognition. Zohar characterized the documentary as "vile" and described the award received in Venice as "shocking." The minister has gone as far as to label the filmmakers' actions as "treason against the state."
Zohar's rhetoric suggests that the filmmakers' pursuit of international accolades has come at the expense of national interests. He accused the creators of attempting to win foreign approval by harming the reputation of their own country. The minister further described the duo as "despicable creators" for their role in producing the controversial work.
Using cinema reform to shield the IDF from criticism
The minister's reaction is deeply tied to recent changes in how Israeli culture is funded and regulated. Miki Zohar stated that his leadership in recent cinema reforms was specifically intended to ensure that Israeli citizens are not forced to pay for content that damages the State of Israel or the IDF.
By linking the filmmakers' actions to these reforms, Zohar is signaling a shift toward using cultural policy as a tool for national defense. He suggested that the state should no longer provide financial support for artistic works that are perceived to undermine the military or the government's narrative regarding the conflict in Gaza.
The legal ambiguity of revoking citizenship for artistic dissent
While Miki Zohar has pledged to act "immediately" to strip the citizenship of Abraham and Szor, the legal feasibility of such a move remains an open question. it is currently unclear if the Israeli government possesses the legal authority to revoke nationality based solely on the thematic content of a creative work or the reception of that work abroad.
Furthermore, the report does not clarify whether any formal legal proceedings have been initiated or if the filmmakers have responded to these accusations. the source does not provide information on whether there is any existing legal precedent for stripping citizenship from citizens based on political or artistic expression, leaving the actual outcome of Zohar's vow uncertain.
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