IDF Chief Orders Legal Review of Film Accusing Israeli Soldiers of War Crimes in Gaza

Following a special discussion, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the military advocate general on Monday evening to examine and advance possible legal action regarding the film "NZA," which accuses IDF soldiers of war crimes in Gaza.

Zamir ordered officials to examine possible legal action against those involved, including some 24 Unit 8200 soldiers. He cited the spread of false claims about IDF troops and the potential consequences for their personal safety and for state security. He also ordered an examination of information-security aspects and possible individuals involved in the leak of classified materials used to produce the film.

The consultation was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai; Head of the Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen; Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir; Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Omer Tishler; the commander of Unit 8200, Brig. Gen. A.; IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin; and additional commanders.

In addition, the chief of staff ordered the creation of a multi-agency, multidisciplinary team, led by the head of the Planning Directorate, to develop methods and tools for addressing false claims against the IDF and its soldiers, in cooperation with experts from Israel and around the world.

⁠Referring to the film and its creators, Zamir said: "Based on the reports that have emerged so far, this is not a film criticizing the IDF, nor is it an attempt to uncover the truth. It is based on blood libels, a deliberate distortion of reality, and false, serious accusations against IDF soldiers and commanders."

"This is a move against the State of Israel, not only against the IDF. It embraces the narratives of Israel-haters, maligns our soldiers and commanders, and seeks to portray the IDF as acting deliberately outside the law. This is a dangerous attempt to deny us the legitimacy to defend ourselves against the worst of our enemies, and, in doing so, to genuinely endanger IDF soldiers and commanders."

The chief of staff added: "We will not allow IDF soldiers to become targets through lies and blood libels. In the face of such an attempt, we must act decisively, using every tool at our disposal, legal, command, and public-information tools."

According to the IDF, the chief of staff stressed that this was a deliberate attempt to directly harm the legitimacy of the IDF and the State of Israel. He added that the IDF operates in accordance with international law, the IDF spirit, and its values, and leads efforts to reduce harm to uninvolved civilians, while maintaining a significantly lower ratio of harm to uninvolved civilians compared with the world’s militaries, relative to terrorists.

It should be noted that these are unusual steps by the chief of staff, including actions against those interviewed in the film, alongside an IDF examination of whether they distributed intelligence information prohibited from publication. For example, if it is determined that they are soldiers currently serving in the IDF or in the reserves, the military will consider whether and how to act against them.

"NZA," which won an award at the Venice Film Festival, was produced by the British newspaper "The Guardian" and filmed on Tel Aviv rooftops during the war. It includes interviewees who say they were involved in "war crimes and genocide," and describes the policy on collateral damage, bombardments, and targeted killings.

According to the film’s Israeli creators, Yuval Avraham and Rachel Shor, it is a policy of deliberate destruction and devastation that includes the use of artificial intelligence.