Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to introduce legislation that could allow the government to revoke the citizenship of people who defame Israeli soldiers, following intense controversy over the documentary NAZA.
The film was directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and examines Israel's military operations in Gaza. It alleges that large numbers of civilian deaths were routinely taken into account when military strikes were planned. Netanyahu and the Israeli military reject the film's allegations.
Netanyahu said he intends to advance two bills: one would create the possibility of revoking citizenship from people who defame Israeli soldiers, while the other would substantially increase potential financial penalties in defamation cases involving soldiers. He specifically cited the NAZA documentary as one of the reasons for the proposed legislation.
The controversy intensified after NAZA won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival on September 12. Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar had already called for the filmmakers' citizenship to be revoked, while Israel's military said it was examining possible legal action concerning the film and its sources.
However, President Isaac Herzog said the proposal to revoke the filmmakers' citizenship had “no chance” and was irrelevant. Under existing Israeli law, citizenship revocation is legally possible in limited circumstances, but it is rare and subject to legal procedures and judicial oversight.