Netanyahu orders bills to strip citizenship for defaming Israeli soldiers
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he ordered the preparation of a legislative package to revoke citizenship and impose heavy fines for defaming Israeli soldiers. The move directly targets the makers of the documentary NAZA, which won an award at the Venice Film Festival and is based on anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers. Netanyahu's announcement came as the film faces sharp criticism from Israeli officials, including Culture Minister Miki Zohar.
Key Facts
- Netanyahu said he ordered preparation of a legislative package to combat defamation of Israeli soldiers, including revocation of citizenship and heavy fines.
- The measures target the makers of NAZA, a documentary based on anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers that won an award at the Venice Film Festival.
- Netanyahu said he would submit two bills: one allowing revocation of citizenship and another increasing the amount that can be recovered in defamation lawsuits.
- Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar demanded that the directors of NAZA be stripped of their citizenship, calling their film 'treason against the state'.
- Israeli human rights organizations expressed solidarity with the filmmakers, according to KNA.
Legislative Package
Netanyahu said he ordered the preparation of laws to combat defamation of Israeli soldiers and the state. The package includes revocation of citizenship and heavy financial penalties for those who defame the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Netanyahu said he would submit two bills: one allowing revocation of citizenship and another increasing the amount recoverable in defamation lawsuits. The laws would also apply to Israelis living abroad, and Netanyahu said they would 'deal a serious blow' to such critics.
NAZA Film Controversy
The documentary NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shor, won an award at the Venice Film Festival. The film is based on anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers, with faces and voices altered. Netanyahu said the film portrays IDF officers and soldiers as war criminals and causes 'enormous damage' to Israel and its soldiers. Culture Minister Miki Zohar called the directors' work 'treason against the state' and demanded they be stripped of citizenship.
Reactions
Israeli human rights organizations expressed solidarity with the filmmakers, according to KNA. Netanyahu said he expects support for the bills and warned the directors, 'They have no place here.'
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