Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham premiered their documentary film “NAZA” at the Venice Film Festival, shedding light on Israel’s alleged use of AI technology to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film received an unprecedented 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record at the festival. Video footage captured the emotional reaction of the filmmakers, with Abraham visibly moved to tears as the audience applauded.
According to reports, this standing ovation surpassed the previous records set by other acclaimed films at prestigious film festivals. The documentary is based on testimonies from 24 Israeli military sources, whose identities remain anonymous. It reveals the utilization of surveillance systems and AI intelligence by the Israeli military to identify and strike Hamas targets, even if civilian families, including women and children, are present.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued a statement refuting the allegations presented in the film, emphasizing that decisions to strike targets are solely made by humans, not AI systems. The IDF stated that their operations aim to minimize harm to civilians and target military sites. The film, named after a military acronym for civilian casualties, serves as a follow-up to Abraham and Szor’s previous award-winning documentary “No Other Land.”
Despite the IDF’s denial, the film has garnered attention and criticism, especially from those unfurling Palestinian and Lebanese flags during the screening. The documentary’s depiction of ongoing violence in Gaza has sparked discussions on the systemic nature of the conflict, as highlighted by the filmmakers’ insider perspectives. With a compelling narrative and powerful visual storytelling, “NAZA” has made a significant impact on audiences and industry professionals alike.