Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” has made headlines for its portrayal of Israel’s use of AI-powered military technology to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received an extraordinary 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record for the festival.
Video footage shared on social media captured the emotional moment as the filmmakers, visibly moved, were applauded by the audience. “NAZA” is based on the testimonies of 24 Israeli military insiders, shedding light on the alleged practices of using advanced surveillance systems and AI intelligence to identify and bomb Hamas targets, regardless of civilian presence.
The film was shot clandestinely over three years in Tel Aviv and features interviews with military personnel whose identities are concealed. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have refuted the claims made in the documentary, stating that decisions to strike are solely made by humans and efforts are made to minimize harm to civilians during military operations.
Titled after an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, “NAZA” serves as a companion piece to the filmmakers’ previous award-winning documentary, “No Other Land.” The film has garnered attention for its bold exploration of sensitive political issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Despite the IDF’s denials, the filmmakers stand by their work, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the conflict and the systemic issues at play. The documentary continues to spark discussion and debate about the ethics and implications of utilizing AI technology in military operations, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza.