Palestinian-Israeli activist filmmakers’ documentary
Palestinian and Israeli sources report a sharp rise in West Bank violence. Dozens of settler attacks have targeted towns including Masafer Yatta, Jenin, Qusra and Hebron, with Palestinians injured, property damaged and several homes besieged. The violence coincides with increased Israeli military operations and ongoing clashes.
Venice Film Festival names NAZA, by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, as the festival’s only documentary in competition. The film, shot at night from Tel Aviv rooftops, examines what the filmmakers describe as Israel’s calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It builds on reporting by +972, Local Call and The Guardian, with production by The Guardian and JW Films and executive producing by Jonathan Glazer. The festival runs 2–12 September.
The West Bank sees escalating settler violence with multiple incidents this week. Israeli forces have reinforced areas amid ongoing clashes, while Palestinian communities report property theft, displacement, and arrests. U.S. lawmakers have urged Netanyahu to curb violence and halt new settlements as international scrutiny grows.
Venice has faced criticism for including few female directors in its main competition. May el-Toukhys Woman Unknown was the lone woman-led feature in the initial lineup; festival organisers have since added the documentary NAZA. Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal and programmers at London Film Festival have said structural barriers, especially financing, are limiting womens progression to larger films.
Oscar winner Susan Sarandon says studios are still avoiding her because of her outspoken support for Palestinians. At Venice, she notes shifts in public opinion but reports ongoing gatekeeping by agencies and studios despite her new film, The Echo Chamber.
NAZA, an 80‑minute documentary by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has premiered at the Venice Film Festival, won a special jury prize and prompted sustained criticism from Israeli officials. The film presents anonymous testimony from 24 Israeli military and intelligence personnel alleging AI‑assisted targeting and frequent civilian deaths in Gaza; Israel’s defence establishment has rejected the claims and ordered inquiries.
The Guardian and The Times of Israel report on the Venice-winning NAZA documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Israeli ministers have condemned the film, with the culture minister threatening citizenship revocation for the directors. The IDF denies allegations of planned or approved strikes in Gaza and challenges the film’s anonymous whistleblower approach. The Gaza death toll exceeds 73,000.
A Venice-lauded documentary alleging that Israeli targeting practices include collateral civilian deaths has sparked a political firestorm. Israeli leaders condemn the film, threaten legal action, and move to strip the filmmakers of citizenship, while international peers call for freedom of expression and due process. The debate centers on anonymous insider testimony about AI-assisted targeting in Gaza.
Documentary NAZA relies on anonymous Israeli military testimonials alleging AI-enabled targeting in Gaza. While the film has won Venice’s Special Jury Prize and will stream via The Guardian, Israeli officials deny the allegations and threaten legal steps against the filmmakers. The Guardian cooperates on distribution; filmmakers argue for public access amid ongoing debate.
The documentary NAZA has opened in US cinemas after winning applause at Venice and New York festivals. Israeli military insiders in the film have alleged reckless killings of civilians in Gaza and described using AI-driven surveillance to select targets. Israel has denied the claims, called for probes and threatened action against those who spoke to the filmmakers.
Masked Israeli settlers have attacked a diplomatic delegation visiting olive harvesters near Taybeh, pelting consular vehicles with stones, smashing a Belgian car window and assaulting a French mayor. The EU and several foreign ministries have called for accountability; Israeli authorities have opened investigations while the prime minister has questioned elements of the footage.
European diplomats and a veteran American journalist have been assaulted by settlers in the occupied West Bank during olive harvest protests. The EU has condemned the violence and called for accountability, while Israel says the incidents require compelling evidence. The attacks come ahead of parliamentary elections in Israel.