The Guardian View on NAZA's Persecuted Directors: Journalism is Not Treason

When Truth Becomes Treason

I've spent my career chasing stories that others would rather bury. In this instance, it's not just about a documentary — it's about the integrity of democratic institutions under fire. The Israeli government's response to NAZA, the film exposing AI-powered targeting systems used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza, is more than political theater. It's a chilling demonstration of how power resorts to intimidation when faced with inconvenient truths.

"The true test of any democracy is not how it treats its allies, but how it handles its critics — especially when those critics have the courage to uncover uncomfortable realities."

For the past several years, I've reported on conflicts where journalists were silenced or threatened for speaking out. But this case stands apart. It isn't about war crimes or military secrets — it's about the right to question, and how a government chooses to respond when that right is exercised.

The Film That Shakes the System

NAZA, named after Israel's euphemistic term for collateral damage, offers no sugarcoating. It features interviews with 24 anonymous insiders who were directly involved in operations that led to the deaths of thousands of civilians — mostly women and children. These aren't whistleblowers driven by guilt or regret; they are people trained in systems designed to dehumanize war.

The film reveals a chillingly routine process where the number of civilian casualties is treated like a statistic, not a tragedy. One insider describes planning airstrikes as 'insane fun.' This isn't an aberration — it's the result of a culture that normalizes mass death in the name of strategic victory.

But the Israeli government's response has been swift and brutal: threatening the filmmakers with citizenship revocation for treason. It's not just the film that is under fire — it's the very notion that journalism can serve as a check on military power.

A Government Afraid of Truth

Israel's leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have used the film to justify a campaign against journalists and filmmakers. They claim NAZA defames Israeli soldiers, but what it actually does is challenge their own moral authority. By branding those who investigate as traitors, the government signals its discomfort with transparency.

It's telling that this response comes amid an election campaign, where right-wing politicians are using fear and outrage to gain political ground. The real danger here isn't just about national security — it's about preserving the institutions that keep democracy alive.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom advocates have called on Israel to protect its journalists rather than punish them. But in a country where even criticism of military actions can lead to legal consequences, those calls are falling on deaf ears.

Persecution of the Perseverant

Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham — Oscar-winning filmmakers who took on the task of exposing the Israeli military's operations — now face possible stripping of their citizenship. Their lives are under threat, not just from official channels but from right-wing activists who see them as enemies of the state.

As someone who has seen firsthand how authoritarian regimes target truth-tellers, I am deeply disturbed by the trajectory this story is taking. If Israel's leaders believe that silencing filmmakers will make the truth disappear, they are deluding themselves. The world has already seen the evidence — and it is now up to global institutions to act.

What We Need Now

This is not just a conflict in Gaza — it's a battle for the soul of democracy. As journalists, we must stand firm against those who would use law and politics to muzzle the truth. NAZA is more than a film — it's a testament to the power of investigative reporting.

In this moment, we must ask: What happens when a government chooses to punish those who investigate its own conduct? And what does that say about the future of accountability in the face of overwhelming military might?

The answer should not be silence — it should be action. We cannot allow institutions to erode because they are afraid of the truth.

"The real enemy is not the filmmaker or the journalist, but the system that hides behind rhetoric and fear when confronted with uncomfortable facts."

I've covered wars before — this one feels different. It's personal now. Because if we lose the right to question our own governments, then we lose everything else.