Naza Film on Gaza Genocide Wins Venice Special Jury Prize - Israel Threatens Directors Citizenship

The documentary Naza, which investigates Israel's alleged use of secret artificial intelligence systems to identify and target civilians in Gaza, has won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

The film received a reported 25-minute standing ovation following its premiere. Directed by Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and filmmaker Rachel Zor, Naza was filmed secretly over three years, including from rooftops in Tel Aviv.

The documentary draws on testimony from Israeli military and intelligence sources who spoke anonymously. It examines claims that AI-powered systems were used in military operations in Gaza and argues that civilian deaths were not simply accidental but part of a systematic process.

During his acceptance speech, Abraham called for audiences to confront what he described as the reality of the war in Gaza. He also highlighted the deaths of Palestinian journalists and said their reporting had documented the conflict from its earliest days.

Abraham urged audiences in Israel, Europe and the United States to watch the film, arguing that confronting allegations of wrongdoing is necessary to prevent them from continuing.

The film's award has also sparked backlash in Israel. Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar condemned Naza and accused its filmmakers of treason. He also threatened to revoke the Israeli citizenship of Abraham and Zor.

Naza follows the filmmakers' earlier documentary work. Abraham was among the filmmakers behind No Other Land, which won an Oscar alongside Palestinian co-directors Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal.