{
  "id": 7989930,
  "title": "Netanyahu seeks law revoking Israeli citizenship of those who 'smear' army",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/netanyahu-seeks-law-revoking-israeli-citizenship-of-those-who-smear",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T08:54:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/17/netanyahu-seeks-law-revoking-israeli-citizenship-of-those-who-smear-army/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to introduce legislation that would revoke citizenship from individuals who criticize Israeli soldiers. This move comes in response to the documentary \"Naza,\" which explores Israel's military targeting practices in Gaza and claims that civilian casualties were considered in decision-making processes. Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, \"Naza\" won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, leading to calls for the filmmakers' citizenship revocation.\n\nNetanyahu pledged to introduce two bills aimed at addressing the \"immense damage\" caused to soldiers by defamatory content. The first bill would strip citizenship from anyone who defames soldiers, while the second would increase statutory damages for defamation by 20 times. The prime minister cited specific incidents, including \"Naza\" and remarks from former Deputy Chief of the Israeli Military, Yair Golan, as grounds for the proposed legislation. Netanyahu also accused the filmmakers of contributing to \"global anti-Semitic incitement\" and expressed shock at the film's reception at the Venice Film Festival.\n\nThe 80-minute documentary \"Naza\" delves into Israel's target selection process in Gaza, utilizing artificial intelligence and clandestinely recorded interviews with military intelligence officers and soldiers. The film's participants, whose identities are concealed, describe military operations in which civilians were present but were still targeted. Israeli Military Chief Eyal Zamir has ordered a legal investigation to identify the sources featured in the film.",
  "summary": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to pass a law to revoke the citizenship of anyone who criticises Israeli soldiers, following domestic outcry over Naza , an Israeli documentary on the Gaza war. Directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the award-winning film examines Israel's targeting practices in Gaza and alleges that mass civilian deaths were routinely…",
  "key_points": [
    "First bill aims to strip citizenship from anyone defaming soldiers.",
    "Second bill increases statutory damages for defamation by 20 times."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Netanyahu calls to strip citizenship of those who 'defame' Israeli army",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/netanyahu-calls-to-strip-citizenship-of-those-who-defame-israeli-army-7994487",
        "published": "2026-09-17T08:48:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Netanyahu seeks law revoking Israeli citizenship of those who 'smear' army",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/netanyahu-seeks-law-revoking-israeli-citizenship-of-those-who-smear-7994253",
        "published": "2026-09-17T08:54:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}