Key facts
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to pass laws to revoke citizenship and increase defamation damages against those who defame Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to advance legislation that would allow for the revocation of citizenship and significantly increase damages for defamation against Israeli soldiers. The move follows criticism of the documentary 'NAZA,' which alleges civilian deaths were built into targeting decisions in Gaza. The proposed laws aim to counter what Netanyahu described as immense damage to the image of Israeli soldiers.
The proposed legislation could have significant implications for freedom of expression in Israel, particularly concerning criticism of military actions. It also highlights the intense political divisions and the use of national security narratives in the lead-up to elections.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday his intention to advance legislation that would allow for the revocation of citizenship and a twentyfold increase in damages for defamation against Israeli soldiers. This move is a direct response to the documentary 'NAZA,' which alleges that mass civilian deaths were routinely incorporated into Israeli targeting decisions in Gaza. Netanyahu and the Israeli military reject these allegations.
The film, directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, won a prize at the Venice Film Festival and is built around anonymous interviews with intelligence officers and soldiers. It has faced significant backlash in Israel, with the military reportedly examining potential legal actions against those involved. The political climate is charged ahead of Israel's October 27 election, where polls suggest Netanyahu's coalition could face defeat.
Netanyahu also accused some election rivals of not taking a strong enough stance against the documentary, deeming them unfit for office. He cited three specific incidents in his proposal: the 'NAZA' film, remarks made in 2025 by former general Yair Golan stating that "a sane country does not kill children as a hobby," and a 2024 leak by a military legal officer of a video depicting soldiers abusing a Gaza detainee.
Reuters was unable to immediately reach the filmmakers of 'NAZA' for comment. In 2022, Israel's Supreme Court upheld a law that permits stripping citizenship from Israelis who breach trust against the state, suggesting any new legislation would likely face similar judicial challenges. The filmmakers maintain that it is important for Israelis to watch the documentary and engage with its narrative. Gaza health authorities report over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, since the conflict began, while Israeli tallies state Hamas's October 7 attack killed 1,200 people.