The Israeli-made documentary NAZA, which investigates the systems behind Israel's military operations in Gaza, has become one of the most-watched documentaries of 2026. According to figures from producers The Guardian and JW Films, the film has been seen by 1,547,033 people across 47 territories as of 6 November, grossing $13.5 million internationally.
Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the 80-minute film was shot covertly at night on Tel Aviv rooftops during the ongoing conflict. It features interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers, soldiers, and whistleblowers, whose identities are protected through digital alteration. The documentary details how AI and automated surveillance are used in targeting systems, despite Israeli awareness of civilian presence in strike zones.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize and received a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation. Its theatrical release has been particularly strong in Italy, where it became the third most-watched documentary of all time, behind only Fahrenheit 9/11 and March of the Penguins. In France, a 48-hour event release drew over 82,000 admissions across 260 theaters, topping the box office both days. Germany's distributor ImmerGuteFilme reported 83,355 admissions, with its strongest day on 1 November—a notable achievement given the country's divided public discourse on the war.
Political firestorm in Israel
The film's success has provoked a fierce response from Israeli leaders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the filmmakers of contributing to “global antisemitic incitement,” saying in a Telegram video: “It’s shocking. We are fighting global antisemitic incitement and when it comes from within us it is intolerable. And now two Israeli directors portraying the IDF as war criminals receive applause at the Venice festival.”
Culture Minister Miki Zohar went further, equating criticism of Israel's actions with antisemitism and announcing he would “act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship” of the directors. Netanyahu has also called for a criminal investigation into the soldiers and officers interviewed, and ordered the attorney general, IDF chief of staff, and Shin Bet head to “act urgently to uncover the identity of all those who are involved or appear in the libel film.”
These threats have drawn international concern. Ricardo Gutiérrez, general secretary of the European Federation of Journalists, called them “a blatant act of intimidation against journalists who have simply been doing their job, in strict accordance with ethical standards and in the public interest.” He added, “I am not surprised by this outburst, which confirms that this regime is prepared to do anything to cover up its crimes against humanity and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
The documentary builds on investigative reporting published between 2023 and 2025 by +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian. Its European release has been met with both acclaim and controversy, reflecting the continent's own debates over the conflict. In Germany, where support for Israel is a sensitive political issue, the film's strong box office performance suggests a public appetite for critical perspectives, even as cultural institutions face pressure over funding and programming.
As NAZA continues its run across Europe, it has become a touchstone for discussions about press freedom, the ethics of AI in warfare, and the limits of dissent in democratic societies. The film's directors remain in Israel, where they face potential legal consequences, but their work has already reached a global audience that seems unwilling to look away.
