Netanyahu seeks law revoking Israeli citizenship of those who 'smear' army

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to introduce legislation that would revoke the citizenship of individuals who criticize Israeli soldiers. This move follows the release of an Israeli documentary, Naza, which portrays the Israeli military's targeting practices in Gaza and alleges that civilian deaths were often considered in military strikes.

The documentary's directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, have faced calls from Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar to strip them of their Israeli citizenship, accusing them of "treason against the state."

Netanyahu vowed to push two bills aimed at tackling the "immense damage" caused to Israeli soldiers. The first bill would revoke citizenship from those who defame soldiers, while the second would significantly increase statutory damages for defamation, multiplying them by 20 times. He cited three incidents, including the Naza documentary, former deputy chief of the Israeli military Yair Golan's statement about the lack of civility in killing children, and a 2024 leak of a video showing Israeli soldiers abusing a Gaza detainee.

Netanyahu accused the filmmakers of contributing to "global anti-Semitic incitement" and expressed shock at the film winning the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The 80-minute documentary, Naza, examines Israel's target selection in Gaza, including the use of artificial intelligence, and features clandestinely conducted interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers over a three-year period.

The identities of the participants are concealed, and their faces and voices are digitally altered during filming. They describe military operations where strikes occurred despite Israel being aware of civilians in the area. Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir stated that he had ordered a legal investigation to identify the sources featured in the film.