Dozens of far-right Israeli activists demonstrated Wednesday evening outside the home of the parents of "NAZA” film director Rachel Szor in the central Israeli town of Savyon, Hebrew media reported.
The protesters chanted slogans including "death penalty for traitors,” according to the Walla news website.
"NAZA,” which won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Saturday, features testimonies from Israeli officers and soldiers about alleged war crimes during Israel’s war on Gaza.
Walla said protesters gathered outside Tzur’s parents’ home to denounce her and co-director Yuval Abraham, with some accusing the filmmakers of portraying Israeli soldiers as "murderers” before the world.
Israel Hayom, citing unnamed sources, reported that organizers of the demonstration and many participants were activists and campaign staff associated with the Jewish Power party led by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The newspaper said messages circulated on social media ahead of the protest included explicit calls for violence.
The demonstration came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would advance two bills targeting people he accused of defaming Israeli soldiers, remarks that referred in part to the "NAZA” documentary.
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir instructed the military prosecutor on Monday to examine possible legal action against the filmmakers, while Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar on Wednesday asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to open an urgent investigation into the documentary, according to Israeli media.
The film, directed by Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Abraham and Tzur, includes accounts from Israeli military personnel who said they witnessed actions in Gaza, including the burning of residential areas used as shelters and the killing of people during food distribution.
"NAZA” is an acronym used by Israeli military intelligence to refer to the number of civilians expected to be killed in an airstrike, according to the filmmakers.
