Netanyahu demands investigation into soldiers linked to Gaza documentary

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the prosecution of soldiers who took part in the documentary NAZA, which examines Israel's conduct in Gaza. He has also asked the heads of the IDF, the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet and the attorney-general to investigate the matter. The film has become the focus of a sharp political and legal dispute inside Israel.

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According to the supporting material, Netanyahu said those involved should face prosecution for leaking sensitive information and for criminal libel. He described the film as false, misleading and biased, and said it damaged Israel's standing internationally as well as its diplomatic and security interests. The attorney-general is the official with the power to order prosecutions, making the request significant in legal terms.

NAZA includes interviews with two dozen soldiers and intelligence officials, and accuses the Israeli army of systematic mass civilian killings in Gaza. The documentary was released to critical acclaim at the Venice International Film Festival last month and is scheduled to begin screening in some Australian cinemas later this week. The film has already fuelled fierce debate in Israel, where its filmmakers, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have faced allegations of treason and threats against them and their families.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of the wider war in Gaza, where allegations about military conduct have become a major political and legal issue. The documentary's claims, if pursued through official channels, could deepen tensions between the government, the military and critics of the war. It also raises questions about the handling of sensitive testimony from soldiers and intelligence officials, and about the limits of public criticism during wartime.

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Netanyahu and senior members of his ministry had already promised to pursue legislation that would give the government power to strip citizenship from people who smeared Israeli soldiers. That earlier pledge shows the issue is not limited to one film, but is part of a broader effort to respond to accusations against the military. The documentary's title is also said to refer to an Israeli military acronym for collateral damage, adding to the sensitivity of the subject.

What remains unclear is whether the attorney-general will open a formal case, and whether any soldiers or officials will face charges. It is also not known how the investigation request will affect the film's release outside Israel or the safety of its filmmakers. The next developments will depend on whether the IDF, Shin Bet and the attorney-general act on Netanyahu's request and how the legal system responds.

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